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Blaming Others

Most weeks it is easy to write this column; I find a plethora of news and political stupidity that easily becomes fodder. Sometimes though, like this week, it becomes more difficult and I will ask for suggestions from friends. I was intrigued when my friend Bob suggested I write about the trend these days to blame others for our problems. In our short conversation I realized he was right, the whole idea of personal responsibility in America is gone. When I think about changes like this I always try to look back in time, through the eyes of my grandfather, to see how America has changed.

Examples abound regarding blaming others: Hurricane Katrina, Attention Deficit Disorder, Restless Leg Syndrome, liability litigation, Obama on Bush, and even the Toyota sudden acceleration. For example, one-hundred years ago if our children misbehaved they were disciplined, re-directed, and strong parenting was done; today we give them a pill. The same holds for new diseases, like Restless Leg Syndrome, heavily promoted by pharmaceutical companies and appearing weekly. The recent Toyota sudden acceleration claims were repudiated by the NTSB as driver error pushing the accelerator; I am sure the liability attorneys are profoundly disappointed.

Falling off a curb at a merchant, or falsely stepping in front of a car has grown into an entire industry. These attorneys do not go after millions, instead they seek a nominal amount, about $25k, from the defendants insurance company; just enough to make settling easier and better for the insurance company, but a cash cow for the law firms. Successful industries advertise; watch television or read billboards to see the proliferation of attorney’s offering to “help”. Hurricane Katrina was the ultimate blame game, as it appears the people of New Orleans had nothing to do with their decision to remain in the path of a Category 5 hurricane, and President Obama has continued that mantra by using the former President as his scapegoat at least ten times by my count in various speeches. My grandfather would have owned his failures and handled issues facing him, as I believe most people would have 100 years ago. Sadly, it is far easier to blame others, take a pill, and avoid personal responsibility. I wonder what our country will look like in another decade after blaming all of our problems on others.

Liberty – Part II

Last week I wrote about my trip to Washington, D.C. to celebrate Independence Day with my wife and children. As I traveled through our nation’s capital I saw references to freedom and liberty; celebrating our successful independence from England. Later in the week we journeyed to Williamsburg, VA and toured the Colonial Williamsburg settlement. Experiencing history again, the history I learned as a school child brought renewed appreciation to the freedom fight our forefathers faced.

I believe all men are equal in the desire for a single objective, freedom. Last year I wrote about the requirement and acceptance of taxation in trade from living in a civilized society. Similarly, our Revolutionary Heroes did not object to taxation, but to their loss of representation. In Boston the revolt began and soon the other colonies had to decide to whether to offer their support for independence. Like a child leaving home, these English subjects living in the colonies had never faced life alone and were heavily dependent on England. Facing this fear meant gaining the freedom to self-govern and envelop the spirit of the Magna Carta.

In Williamsburg, while sitting in the Courthouse I was treated to a speech and review of laws in 1770. Although subject to English law, the residents enjoyed many freedoms for which we now fight. For instance, all men were required to own a gun, and to not do so required a license for exemption. Licenses were required to do things outside the law, not those already guaranteed by the law. Today we seem to have traveled backward, requiring licenses to own guns, fish, drive a car, practice medicine, or even work as a beautician; none of which are against the law. It is this strange change, or incrementalism which silently erodes our freedom and steals our liberty.

Sadly, in my own lifetime I have seen my experience in airports change, bag searches at theme parks begin, and my newborn children required, by law, to get a social security card although he will not work for nearly two decades. “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and lost it, have never known it again.” — Ronald Reagan

Family

Life in North Georgia is very different than Volusia County. One noticeable difference is the number of foster families I have met. Fathers’s Day last week made me think, “What is family?” My version of family was the 1950’s Nelsons, Ozzie and Harriett, not my own family of Nelsons, although, my grandparents would have been similar in just about every aspect.

Today’s kids come from many different backgrounds. In the last week I met three different people, but they all share the same thing, they have given of themselves to raise other people’s kids. The first conversation was with a woman in her mid-30’s who has six children. Two of the six are biological and the other four were foster children, all adopted now. Yesterday I met a man who for the last seven months has been a foster parent to a five-year old boy and his eight-year-old sister, both born to a drug addicted woman and who will forever suffer issues tied to their start in life. Last, was a 50-year-old man whose daughter was murdered by a drunk driver two years ago; he has now adopted his grandson and is raising him. A far different vision of retirement than he expected to have. Even my own children have learned to deal with divorced parents and managing two distinct homes. They have a half-brother from my remarrying and step-siblings from their mother’s remarrying. Blended families bring issues, but yet we work through them.

Some kids are fortunate, or maybe not, to have a stable nuclear family. Others are thrust into circumstances we would not wish on anyone. We have an incredible society where unrelated people give of themselves to take care of other people’s children. We have a disgusting society where parents will choose to selfishly indulge themselves and neglect their own children. On Father’s Day I put my priority on my kids – the four people I would not trade for anything. In the following days I watched news reports with dismay as Tony Hayward of BP was criticized for taking several hours off to spend time with his son, but yet he had been discharged of his duties related to the Gulf four days earlier. Contradictorily, President Obama was given a pass to play golf, on Father’s Day, for many hours absent his children. Family is what we make of it, even under pressure we have to find time to support our children first.

Deadbeat Dads? This is a great article taking a look at the problems in our society, Judges failing to recognize the economic problems due to men losing their jobs. Father’s Day Deadbeat Dads Raids

Lame (Duck)

A Lame Duck is an elected official approaching the end of his tenure, thus making him ineffective. Recent articles in the “Wall Street Journal”, “US News and World Report”, and even Germany’s “Der Spiegel” are comparing the President to one-term President Carter. Criticism has been flowing from his staunchest supporters such as MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews. The common theme among all observers is the inability of the president to handle the problems confronting him and to stop shifting blame for his situation back to the prior administration.

Every administration in history has inherited problems; President Ford was a stop-gap president between Nixon and Carter. Throughout Carter’s presidency he used the problems of President Nixon, the energy crisis, recession, and of course Watergate, to make himself appear more presidential. The hostage taking in Tehran occurred on his watch, and ultimately became his death nail when he proved he lacked the faculties to resolve the crisis.

President George HW Bush became a one-term president after bipartisan efforts to negotiate a budget resulted in reneging on a famous campaign promise, “read my lips, no new taxes.” Regardless of his successful foreign policy efforts and management of the world stage, the American people were unforgiving and mandated change through a resounding defeat.

Similarly, President Obama offered “Hope and Change”, but has delivered on little of what he promised. After an elegant campaign two years ago we watch with dismay wishing Hillary Clinton had won the nomination instead. Among both sides there is acknowledgment that she has proven herself loyal and demonstrated leadership characteristics. Vice President Biden correctly prophesied the President would be tested, and the fury of examinations have come both domestically and internationally: Ft. Hood, The Underwear Bomber, Times Square bombing, losing the Chicago Olympics, failing to close Guantanamo, breaking Afghanistan troop withdrawal promises, economic instability, cloudy transparency, the Gulf crisis, and a cast of Czars to guide him.

The inexperienced man, with no executive experience, has missed multiple opportunities to provide “Hope and Change.” Last week was the ultimate example during the Gulf Spill speech, no solutions were offered, no Presidential analysis was given. Instead, Chicago-style political thuggery was the theme to pressure BP, ensure constituency votes were purchased, and springboard non-related legislation. We have 29 months until the next election, and I believe we have a Lame Duck president who, like President Ford, will be remembered for his golf game.

My Dad

My Dad turned 71 years old on May 26th. To celebrate, my wife, son, and I took my Dad and Mom to a local restaurant for wings, something he had only once before. During dinner I interrogated my Dad; asking questions about his childhood, life on the farm, school, and enlisting in the Air Force. I joked with my Dad that I knew he had no friends growing up because he did not have a Facebook page. Through all of the conversation though it reminded me how different his life was from mine, and how different the children of today are living.

My Dad was born in a farm house, not a hospital. My Grandmother did not worry about insurance; she had my Dad anyway. Living in a wooden house on 200-acres in Scandia, Minnesota the family raised crops, milking cows, pigs, and poultry. My Dad was expected to help on the farm before and after school, he had no cell phone, no computer, and did not have television until he was 14. To get to school he walked, in the snow, nearly two miles. By comparison, his grandchildren get a ride everyday in an air-conditioned car to the doorsteps of school, watch endless hours of television, have cell phones, and have minimal chores.

My Dad has lived through 13 presidencies, from Roosevelt to Obama. He has worked a variety of jobs, had careers, and struggled with recessions. I cannot imagine the amount of money he has paid in taxes, well over a million dollars, and now he reaps the benefit of a broken Social Security and questionable Medicare system. Once he collected unemployment for a few weeks in the recession of 1981, but has given far more than he will ever receive.

My Dad never expected anyone to give something to him for nothing, and he taught me the same. He inspired me to work hard, be true to my word, and have integrity. My Dad worked hard to have bigger homes, new cars and “stuff”. My Dad does not see life as a lottery; with some people luckier than others. Sadly, our country seems to have an opposite view where government is considered the better choice over private business, subsidizing those who choose not to work so they can have “stuff”, and mocking people like my Dad for his values, integrity, and hard work.

My Greatest Job

A year ago I had to quit the greatest job I ever had, teaching at Deltona High School. I remain in touch with my students, continuing to get calls, emails, text messages, and Facebook comments. Some are to tell me how they are doing; others are to ask for my help. I had over 160 students and I taught four periods of Honors Chemistry and two periods of AP Environmental Science.

Working as a teacher gave me insights I never could have imagined. Teachers spend more time with our children than most parents, they are the most important asset our country has, but as the economy has worsened teachers have become disposable targets. Now, I watch with dismay as local municipalities nationwide are struggling to meet their budgets and newspaper reports show thousands of teachers being laid off. No system is perfect, as the local contribution of property taxes first flows to the state capital and then is allocated back to the local school board by complicated formulas.

The budget consists of two parts: operating and capital, about 40% and 60% respectively. The capital budget funds buildings and debt service whereas the operating budget has sustained most of the cuts. I believe schools have focused monies incorrectly on “technology in the classroom” and buildings where hundreds of millions of dollars built new schools, rivaling the nicest hotels and office buildings. Schools now have IT departments, equivalent to dot-com companies, but have cut arts, music, and after-school sports. But, salaries and benefits make up the bulk of the operating budget and must be managed to bring the budget in line. I would focus first on top-heavy salaries and then closely examine the unionized system where longevity and mediocrity are rewarded instead of performance. Disparities of $50,000/year exist due to tenure and length of service, not quality of teaching.

Through all of these problems, I believe our local schools do an excellent job. For example, New Smyrna Beach Middle School has been an “A” rated school two years in a row and about a one-fourth of the students managed to make the Honor Roll throughout the entire year. Principles like Jim Tager navigate these times by keeping the focus on students and receiving outstanding parental support through PTA. Our future is our children and we need to protect them, not deny them the best possible teachers and education.

Ripple Effects

Off the beaten path and traveling the back roads of the countryside brings opportunity to cross paths with new people. Recently passing through a small town I struck up conversation with the proprietor of a local service station and I commented on the lumber mill and how fortunate the town was to have industry. My new friend then informed me the mill had just closed, permanently, two weeks before after 100 years in business. Over 1,100 jobs were lost at the mill, but the real tragedy he said “was the ripple effect.” He explained there were house cleaners, landscape companies, automobile service garages, pressure washers, and even the local dry cleaner that depended on the employees of the mill to buy their services.

In conversation another friend shared with me the story of the recession on an aviation business, losing fuel sales due to the cutback of medical transplant flights. Curious, I asked why and learned the typical transplant donor is a male, aged 18-24 who dies in a motorcycle crash. In this recession those young males cannot buy motorcycles due to the credit crisis. Therefore due to the economy there is no credit, no motorcycle purchases, no crashes, no transplants, no flights, and no sales.

Since 2007 the economy has struggled to regain footing, slowed down like a marathon runner in the 18th mile. Restarting the economic engine is more serious than easing credit, encouraging spending, or building confidence. The concept of the “new normal” which mirrors Europe’s economy with high unemployment, social programs to help those in need, and lackluster performance is cheered as a political success. In this recession two very different demographics have suffered catastrophically: low-income minorities on one end and high-income whites on the other. Expecting to find themselves in the most prosperous years of their lives the 40-55 year old group of white males has learned the jobs they once coveted have been shipped off-shore, gone forever. Cities like Detroit are facing 50% unemployment, arguably far from an economic recovery. Regardless of which group is examined though, it is apparent society has been slow to understand this change. If not unemployed, then a blind eye is turned to those who need help with housing, loans, child support, and groceries.

Movies like the “Butterfly Effect” or stories like Ray Bradbury’s “A Sound of Thunder” exemplify the catastrophic possibilities of small changes to once known realities. In 2010 we are experiencing the ripple effects of radical changes to a once vibrant economic system. As of this month more Americans than any time in history receive food stamps, nearly 40 million, real unemployment according to a recent Gallup poll is close to 20%, and the housing market is set to fall again due to the end of government tax incentives. I must agree with the words, “new normal” and assert our success will depend on adaptability, not returning to what we once had.

From the Porch….by John R. Nelson

Taking Back Roads

On a recent trip from New Smyrna Beach back to North Georgia I departed the comfort and safety of the interstate highway for a back road. In this case it was Highway 341 near Brunswick, Georgia threading its way through the landscape of Jessup, Braselton, and ultimately changing roads to Dublin, Georgia. Leaving the interstate forces me to slow down, lending opportunity to look around. Gone are the Tanger Outlet malls, truck stops, and billboards. Instead, roadside stands appear, homes front the road, and Main Street comes into view. Each giving pause to what I would describe as the “real America.”

The rise of interstate highway travel brought families closer together and eased the transportation of commerce. From President Eisenhower we inherited a system of roads unique to America, meant to defend our country in the cold war. However, a hidden cost of this new method of transportation came too. Like “Radiator Springs” in my 2 ½ year-old son James’ favorite movie, “Cars”, towns were bypassed and left to die like withering grapes on the vine. Exiting I-95 to travel these roads requires slowing down at a town square, looking at family owned businesses in downtown, or seeing a local service station on the side of the road.

My wife and I looked with fascination at nature stealing homes and buildings. It does not take long for the weather, trees, and vines to destroy a once thriving farm or home. However, nearby structures grow, whether a modern “McMansion” or a single-wide mobile home Americans live and prosper. Instead of seeing blight I see hard-working individuals who are often mocked by Hollywood, Northeasters, Washington, and the media, but these citizens revere their God, country, and family. Towns like Lumber City, Georgia drive the economic engine of our country to deliver pine 2×4’s awaiting the return of construction that may not come again. Like the Interstate that passed them by before; the politicians are now claiming successes and a “new normal” ready to pass them by again.

Our Supreme Court Bench consists of only Ivy League law graduates; Congress is 90% composed of attorneys. Instead of mocking hard-working Americans with deep-rooted values who protest an irresponsible political class spending future generations’ wealth I wish our politicians would leave Washington D.C. and travel the back roads to meet the real America.

George Bush’s Worst Decision

During the eight years of the George W. Bush presidency America changed significantly. Conservatives claim economic policies worked, but many were inherited from Bill Clinton. They claim the representation of smaller government fueled the economic boom of the aughts, but the truth is the largest expansion of government services and spending took place, until President Obama exponentially eclipsed those figures, and America’s civil liberties were willfully eroded. Repeatedly I have written about exchanging our liberties for the perception of safety, but no president did more to change our view of the world than “W” in the months and years following September 11th, 2001.

Congress immediately started working on the Patriot Act after the September 11th attacks. Even government marketing proponents make it hard to argue because it would make one “unpatriotic” to disagree. Among the worst elements of the Patriot Act that stole liberties was Title II, covering surveillance procedures. Although one could hope the original intent was to provide additional surveillance on enemies of the United States, the enhancements contained within this statute expanded the scope and availability of wiretapping and surveillance orders. Subpoenas delivered to internet service providers were expanded to include not only “the name, address, local and long distance telephone toll billing records, telephone number or other subscriber number or identity, and length of service of a subscriber” but also session times and durations, types of services used, communication device address information, payment method and bank account and credit card numbers.

Several other sections of the Patriot Act, Title III, anti-money-laundering to prevent terrorism, and Title IV, border security, have changed our daily lives. When dealing with any financial institution we must provide proof of American citizenship to open an account. Cash transactions in excess of $10,000 must be reported, and all brokers and bankers are trained to spy on you – ordered to report any odd patterns in financial transactions. Border security has limited our ability to take a weekend jaunt to the Bahamas, requiring a passport to return to our own country.

Finally, the most notorious provision in the Patriot Act is Title VIII, the Terrorism Criminal Law. It redefined the term “domestic terrorism” to broadly include mass destruction as well as assassination or kidnapping as a terrorist activity. The definition includes activities intended to “intimidate or coerce a civilian population,” “influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion,” or are undertaken “to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping” while in the jurisdiction of the United States. On one hand, under the guise of the attacks of September 11th, the provision arguably makes sense to allow prosecution of the foreign terrorists. However, a dramatic shift has recently taken place by the current party in power to invoke the elements of this section and call into question the activities of Americans peacefully protesting and asserting their First Amendment rights to free speech. Both Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and former President Bill Clinton have referred to citizens engaging in tax protests, arguing against health care, or disagreeing with the current administration as domestic terrorists.

Our government is asserting power it was never intended to have and I believe the Founding Fathers would be appalled at the efforts currently underway. It appears George Bush’s legacy is shrouded in reigning in the citizens of the United States, to control them and create an environment focused on monitoring and surveillance. The First Amendment is no longer about freedom of speech, to willfully speak, but containment of speech within the bounds of the Patriot Act.