Health Care Costs (Cont,)

I'm always amazed at society's laissez faire attitude when it comes to understanding the costs associated with things. The recent mortgage scandals, etc., are paid by all of us in terms of lower house appreciation, higher property taxes, etc. People were using their houses, like a friend of mine so adequately stated, as credit cards thinking that there was unlimited amount of credit to pay for things, leaving the payoff of the debt to come when the house was sold.

This report from the WSJ today undermines the lack of understanding surrounding ANY congressional act. There is always a price-tag and like my earlier entry yesterday talked about, government historically has grossly underestimated these costs.

Private companies, immediately after the passage of this act, have responded by laying off employees (one of my close friends), restating profits, and bracing for the unintended consequences inherant with any legislation change.

Listen, I'm not saying that social programs are not all bad, but what I am hopefully articulating is the fact that many people go about their lives without knowing the impact their actions or inactions have on other people. Awareness and a little common sense can go a long way...

Grace & Peace...

PLW

The Real Cost of Health Care Legislation

The Real Cost of Health Care Legislation

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Biblical Support

What bothers me a bit are the intellectual jumps that people make without substantiating it with the Bible.

For example, it was reported to me that some were saying that Obama is the Anti-Christ so they would get enough Democrats to not vote for the Health Care overhaul.

As much as I have my reasons why not to like the Act, there are some things that are true about the Anti-Christ that aren't true about Obama which disqualify him as a candidate. Case in point, the last time I checked, Obama hasn't "set himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God" (2 Thess. 2:4).

If, by some chance, Obama becomes ruler over Israel and then sets himself up to be more highly honored than God in the temple in Jerusalem, I may change my thoughts. But until then, I think the name calling because of a ideological or political difference makes that individual appear very uneducated.

BUT, if you are indeed looking for some signs until the 2nd Coming of Christ (for those who have that belief), Jesus talked about this at length when he said in Mark 13:7: "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains"



Present day examples of this are numerous, such as the sever famine in Kenya and most recently the Congo, earthquakes and Tsunamis in Haiti, Chile, and of course one of the deadliest in history, the Indian Ocean Earthquake in 2004, killing an approximate 230,000 people.


So, recap: Obama - not the Anti-Christ in this author's opinion; evidence of the end times, all around us. 'Carpe Diem' has never been more true...


Grace & Peace,
PLW

Another diversion

The Day of the Grasshopper I thought that locusts / grasshoppers ceased to be a very big issue with the introduction of pesticides, etc., but apparently (like the plagues in Egypt), they continue to have a devastating effect...













Grace & Peace

PLW

Israel

I am taking a couple of days hiatus to formulate some economic thoughts from the latest health care reform. I know you will be waiting anxiously (if indeed you care at all).

I found this linked speech from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu articulates I think very well the problems associated with the Palestinian occupation and a brief history.

Socialization of America - Part 1: Health Care

As you can see, I am pretty upset about the latest in the political games being displayed in DC. Not that this is the first time Congress has passed un-constitutional legislation (Social Security, Medicare, etc.), but this is in a time where Americans are already being asked to bear a heavy tax burden. Local cities, municipalities, STATES, are going bankrupt (http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=711).

This article above shows that the 2010 projected states shortfall totals $196.2 BILLION. This represents 28.6% of the 2010 US General Fund total taxes received. Explain how passing another federal bureaucracy and social program helps us in the near or distant future while 48 out of 50 states are in financial trouble? This also has the effect of trickling into the debt markets, Wall Street, health care companies, universities, etc. etc.


I'm worried, but not concerned as we have a loving God who takes care of us. Pray for our leaders...



PLW

Big Ten Weekend

Well, you could have only scripted one better scenario for the Golden Gophers for the weekend, but second place in the Big Ten tournament (their first time into the Big Ten Final) was pretty darned good.

Led by some decent perimeter defense, the scrappy Gophers made it to the Final to face Ohio State. Needless to say, the Gophers ran out of gas and lost by double-digits.

However, the positive takeaways from the tournament were numerous: 1) Devoe Joseph emerged as a leader; 2) the three wins over the weekend solidifed their post-season birth to the Big Dance; 3) Ralph Sampson started to play at a slightly higher level and get some confidence; 4) Tubby started to realize that Iverson and Carter are key components to their success

I had a ton of fun and made a lot of friends, including spending some quality time with my friends Donny, Keith and Ed.

Greetings to all the Gopher fans that made it out for the weekend.

Grace & Peace

Big Ten Baby!

I'm heading with a some friends to the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, IN.

Odds are, Gophers are out on Friday. We are hoping for a miracle and that the 'proper' Gopher basketball team shows up on the road.

On other fronts, I am currently reading a coupel of books that I hope to finish by the end of my trip. One is a book by Thom S. Rainer called 'Simple Church'. The other is an financial advising book that I won't bore you with but its pretty interesting.

On another note, its great to get away for a bit and take a breather...

Grace & Peace

PLW

Our little box...

DOGO NAHAWA, Nigeria— The attackers came at night and surrounded this small farming village, firing shots in the air to scare residents from their homes. Men, women and children were hacked with machetes as they rushed out. Several houses were set on fire with residents still inside.

Details are beginning to emerge from attacks Sunday on four villages in central Nigeria, where witnesses say members of the predominantly Muslim Fulani ethnic group targeted villages that were home to members of the mostly Christian Berom ethnic group. On Monday, local officials counted 378 bodies in the villages of Dogo Nahawa, Rasat, Zot and Shen. (WSJ 3/9/2010).



While I understand that senseless killing happens everyday (enter abortion debate, genocide, wars), as a man who is called by God to love others, this is painful to read. Knowing nothing about the Nigerian history or past problems, I would hope we would continue to step outside our own little boxes and understand that we are very blessed indeed in the US...

Sorry to be a downer today but this is something else...

Grace & Peace

PLW

Whew!

Lot's of stuff over the weekend...

• Hunter's baseball (yes, I said baseball) tryouts for 4th grade traveling team were Saturday. We spent almost every night up to Saturday hitting at the batting cage. I don't think I even knew what a batting cage was in 4th grade...Hunter did awesome and his attitude was brilliant
• Jalen legitimately beat me in lightning 3 out of 5 (the kid can shoot)
• Buffalo Wild Wings on Saturday, just me and the boys (about as close as you come to heaven on earth). We ate wings, watched basketball and just hung out - very awesome
• Saturday night Journey at church - Pastor Brad message was about humor and how Sara and Abraham thought it funny that they were giving birth at an old age (90 and 100 respectively)...thats pretty old actually
• Sunday, all day at church worshiping, praying, eating, meeting, discussing, encouraging, and serving...definitely ready for bed on Sunday night, though...

Grace & Peace

Why Pastors (and people) Should Blog!

I came accross this reading the Desiring God website, so I thought I would share it. Its intended audience is new pastors but I believe there is some spillover for anybody in a teaching / leadership position at a church or institution.

Here, though, Abraham Piper talks about blogging by pastors and 6 reasons why they should:

1. To Write
2. To Teach
3. To Recommend
4. To Interract
5. To Develop an eye toward things that are meaningful
6. To Be Known

I would add 7. Accountability. People should be able to back up what they say, right or wrong.

Grace & Peace

PLW