So, You're Going to Sit This One Out?

Still going to sit this one out or vote third party because you think Trump is vile? Here’s what you are voting for.

Hillary in her own words, with a 20 trillion-dollar debt, on live TV in the debate talked about new program after new program, building the economy from the middle class up, free this and free that. I’m sorry to tell those who are reading this, that have never had to create one job, never had to figure out how to make payroll during tough times, never had to pay all the taxes that come with making a payroll, or figuring out how to do a zero balance budget. IT DON’T WORK THAT WAY!

This is socialist nonsense. I have been a union, yellow dog democrat, woe-is-me-liberal for more years than I’ve been a conservative before my eyes were opened as to how the system really works. I can tell you, you don’t build an economy from the middle up. You build it by creating incentive for business to come to America and for existing businesses to expand and build. PERIOD! Of course there are other issues that go along with that where there is room for compromise. But that is a fundamental truth.

So, tell me please, where the jobs are going to come from when you tax the job creators higher and higher and higher? You know what? They leave. Why? Because they’re a lot smarter and know a lot more about business and job creation than this liberal wet dream in a pantsuit who couldn’t tell the truth if it were written in front of her by one of her speech writers. I witnessed this on a small scale when I was a union contractor and the contract got so out of hand, that the older contractors who still loved doing the job, but didn’t need the money anymore, just retired. It’s basic business 101. And guess what went with their retirement? A whole lot of jobs, that’s what! Here’s some news for you – if you taxed the top 1% of wealthiest people in this country 100% of their income, it would not pay the interest on the national debt. You are being lied to.

Gun rights? In her own words said she likes the Australian plan which is gun confiscation. Right to life? Do I really need to go there? She said, again, in her own words that a baby that is seconds away from birth has no constitutional right to life. Argue that all day long legalists. I guarantee you that is not the intent of the creators of our constitution, and it is not what America is about.

She talks about women’s rights while her Clinton Foundation has taken vast sums of money from the most anti-women governments and societies in the world. She talks of women’s rights while she personally went after the “bimbos”, her words not mine, who her husband constantly pursued. Her machine threatened them or paid them off.

So, go ahead and laugh at the people that are exposing her corruption-laced emails or the brave people who are putting out the videos that fully expose what a crooked, lying, back-room-corruption-filled-politician she is. Laugh all the way to the food kitchens when they come. Laugh all the way to the election of this evil winch who hates your guts and only has use for you in order to gain power.

You think you can’t vote for Trump because it goes against your conscience? Let’s see how your conscience is feeling when you see what Killary does to this country and your vote could have made the difference. Morality? It is your moral duty to do anything you can to keep this evil, vile, ambition-laden person from destroying what’s left of this country.

2012 Christmas Tree Video

I've had a long break from my blog, partially due to busyness with my business, Christmas, and all the other busyness in my life. I also just got sick to death of politics, which is hard for me to believe because I love politics.

But, I did say that this blog was about God, Country, Family, their intertwining or any one of those subjects by themselves.

So, tonight I just want to show a video I made of our Christmas tree this year. I am doing this for several reasons.

1. It's relaxing, and we can all use a little more relaxation in our lives.
2. Some people may have missed it on Facebook or MyMerryChristmas.com/forums which are my main online hangout sites.
3. Truth be know, I just learned how to embed video using code and I want to try it out.

Before you think I've gone totally soft on you, well I have a little. Christmas always does that to me. I have recently learned about something that has me infuriated; the cost of text books for college. I hope to be writing on that subject soon.

In the meantime, sit back, and enjoy this video of our 2012 Christmas tree with Mannheim Steamroller's "Stille Nacht" gently playing in the background.

COLUMBINE STUDENT'S FATHER 12 YEARS LATER!!

On Thursday, Darrell Scott, father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee (subcommittee of the Committee? Really?). Oh well. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, teacher, psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt God sent this man. Here is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of the heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA-because I don't believe they are responsible for my daughter's death.Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best."

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,

your words are empty air.

You've stripped away our heritage,

YOU'VE OUTLAWED SIMPLE PRAYER!

Now gunshots fill our classrooms,

and precious children die.

You seek for answers everywhere,

and ask the question, "WHY?"

You regulate restrictive laws,

through legislative creed.

And yet you fail to understand,

That God is what we need.

"Men and women are three part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When  we refuse to acknowledge a third-part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nations history. Many of our nations colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God,and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs, politicians immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan (the shooters) would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right!! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20,1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into a new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA--I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Do what the media did not do nor will do! Let the nation hear this man's speech! Get this message out to everyone you know. It's up to us to save this country by bringing God back into it. It WILL NOT happen if you just sit on the sidelines. Don't complain if you are not willing to be a part of the solution.

God bless

Ragman 

Obamacare - The Great Destroyer of the Economy

Many of my friends and family don't really believe that Obamacare will hurt the economy. I wanted to show you a part of an email I got today from NECA, which is the electrical contractor association in which I and my company are members.

First, you must understand that this organization lobbies Congress like many others. But, it is not left wing or right wing. Being representatives of thousands of electrical contractors and suppliers, both large and small, they lobby both parties for the betterment of the industry. So, in that context what I'm about to show you from their email is not partisan. It simply states the facts as they are.

This ruling by the Supreme Court didn't catch anybody by surprise. NECA was prepared to relay to all of its members what to expect, as employers, no matter how the decision turned out. Here is a word for word copy of some of that email.

"Impact of the Decision on NECA Contractors: Same Today as Yesterday

The bottom line for NECA contractors is that unfortunately nothing has changed. NECA contractors must continue to locally plan to comply with the requirements of the ACA that will take effect in 2012 through 2014.

The following taxes that were included in the ACA remain and will potentially have a negative financial impact on NECA.

*Applies to all NECA contractors: A 3.8% surtax on investment income earned in households making at least $250,000 ($200,000 single). Effective 2013, this provision may make it harder for employers to raise capital in order to create jobs and expand business operations. This would result in the following top tax rates on investment income:

*Applies to all NECA contractors: Employers are required to provide employees with a summary of benefits and coverage explanation of benefits and coverage explanation prior to enrollment, re-enrollment upon request, or upon a mid-year material modification. This requirement applies to insured and self-funded group health plans, regardless of grandfathered status, and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage.

*Applies to all NECA Contractors: Beginning January 1, 2013, employees' contributions to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) will be limited to $2,500 per tax year with annual inflation increases.

*Applies to NECA contractors with 50 or more employees: Effective in 2014, if an employer that does not offer health coverage, and has at least one employee who qualifies for a health tax credit, the employer must pay an additional non-deductible tax of $2000 for all full-time employees. If any employee actually receives coverage through the exchange, the penalty on the employer for that employee is increased to $3000. If the employer requires a waiting period to enroll in coverage of 30-60 days, there is a $400 tax per employee ($600 if the period is 60 days or longer)."

Notice that the email mentions how investment income will be taxed at such higher rates than the current rates that it may make it harder for employers to raise the necessary capital for business expansion and job creation. This is reality, not spin from either party. One of the reasons the economy has been so slow is because business owners have not known how much the cost of business was going to really cost under Obamacare. They have been waiting to see. Well, now we know. If you think the economy is slow now, just wait.


I can tell you that I've sat in meeting rooms with other electrical contractors who are going to retire because of this. They are all able to retire, but would have probably worked many more years had it not been for this Marxist push by the Obama administration to "level the playing field". What leveling the playing field really means is, dragging everybody down to the same level of mediocrity.


What will this "healthcare-for-everyone" really accomplish? A 21 year old in great shape who may not want insurance will have to pay for it or pay the "penalty", which was confirmed by the Supreme Court to be a tax. He will pay for the couch potato diabetic who does nothing but lay on his backside watching TV all day.
People like my parents who have worked hard their whole lives and have earned their healthcare benefits, will wait in longer lines than ever to see doctors because rationing will occur. This is not just my opinion; it's just plain common sense. If more patients enter the already overcrowded medical arena, it follows that it will take longer to get in to see their doctors.


I urge EVERYONE who takes time to read this article to vote for people who will repeal Obamacare and come up with a better plan than this.


Storeytime

Is It Too Late?

Is It Too Late?

Obama Executive Order Imposes Martial Law On United States

   On Friday evening, March 16th 2012, Barack Hussein Obama signed into existence "National Defense Resources Preparedness," an Executive Order which will afford the president dictatorial powers over the nation and the American people whenever he chooses to implement it.

               Some of the more important-and frightening-dictates of the Obama decree:

   The president can place the order in effect virtually whenever and for whatever reason he wishes. Although related to the Defense Production Act of 1950, written as a result of the Korean War, the current Executive Order makes it clear that the nation need not be at war or threatened with aggression by outside forces to be implemented. The Order specifically states that it may be activated in peacetime.

   All actions of the Order are ultimately controlled by the President. Obama has appointed the National Security Council and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, as the "integrated policymaking forum" for all Order policies.

   All commerce will be conducted according to the demands of the President. All "services, materials and facilities" may be commandeered by the President "as deemed necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense..."

   Regulations will be issued by the President's representatives, establishing nationwide standards and procedures of production. The entire economy will literally work under the President's direction. He and his representatives will also decide how all important resources shall be apportioned. They will "control the general distribution of any material (including applicable services) to the civilian market."

   The President's representatives will have authority to grant or guarantee loans for the production of goods and materials or to "create, maintain, protect, expand or restore domestic industrial base capabilities essential for the national defense." They may also "encourage the exploration, development, and mining of strategic and critical materials..." Apparently oil may be sought only after the President has become a dictator.

   Manufacturers will not be permitted to produce or sell goods unless authorized by the President. Anything produced will be made available for the President's (that is, the nation's) use before it may be offered elsewhere. The President's representatives have authority to take over privately owned companies, plants, and facilities, modify them, add or delete equipment and "authorize" production schedules. In short, private businessmen will be told what to make, how to make it, how much, when and for whom.

   The Director of Selective Service and the Secretary of Defense will decide who will be inducted into the armed forces and who will be deferred.

   In addition to those powers listed above, the President will also control all civil transportation; all forms, supplies and suppliers of energy; farm equipment; all food resources; food resource facilities; all water resources; health resources; strategic and critical materials and national defense.

  

   And there are two additional items to consider. Janet Napolitano will be in charge of the National Defense Executive Reserve program. NDER refers to individuals recruited for specific tasks based upon specific abilities. And though they might be builders, they could also be mercenaries armed by Obama to "control" an unruly populace.

   Also, emergency preparedness mandates of Obama's Executive Order will be carried out according to Title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief  Act. Managed for years by FEMA, the Act is known for its creation of "temporary housing" facilities for displaced persons also known as FEMA camps.

   As the American people consider what Obama has done, it is also necessary to ask WHY? Does he know or expect something the American public does not? And how will the enslavement of 300 million Americans make the United States better prepared for the requirements of "national defense?"

Is it too late?

Sleep well America.

Ragman

God-Country-Family Part 2

God-Country-Family
Part 2

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
GENESIS 1:1

   Our creator. GENESIS 1 goes on to say that the earth was a formless wasteland. Darkness covered the abyss. A mighty wind swept over the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light." and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." Thus evening came, and morning followed-the first day.

Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people chosen as his very own.

PSALM 33:12

  Our country. The weak economy can give rise to churches reaching out to the hungry and ministering to those in need. It is important to note that after the Great Depression and after WW2 there was a tremendous, quiet revival in our country. My hopes are that this will happen again and that we may once again reform the church, by the grace of God.

   It is important to remember our freedoms. Freedom to worship, freedom of speech, freedom to own property and to give to others. There is no government, no power that is not derived from the ultimate power-God. Human government was for the common good (and under God), and so was faith.

   There was a time when many Americans thought that we were the chosen nation. Hoping for a nation that was the city on the hill; a light for the world to see. There are not many who believe that any more. As people of God, we can continue to influence our country by the way we live, and also by multiplying the gospel in our country. Much of the freedom we have is there because people seek to follow Him and reject evil. We are called to pray for the place where God has placed us, and work for prosperity. We are not only called to pray but to live, vote, and care for our nation. My hope is for this nation to come closer to God as Christians really live and share their faith. This is a place for primary love of God and secondary love of country.

God created man in his image; in the Divine image he created him; male and female he created them.

GENESIS 1:27

   Our family. Scripture reminds us where we came from and where we are going. Our beginning and end is in the loving power of our Creator, God. God loves us so much that He made human beings the high point of His creations. God in His goodness and mercy created man and woman to reflect His image to the world. The woman compliments the man in a way that is unique and life-giving to both of them. Together they live out this complementarity physically, psychologically, and emotionally as they strive to become more united in their love for one another and God. In our heart of hearts we all want love to be lasting and permanent so that we can be free to be ourselves with another and know that we are loved.

   We strive to live a life of kindness and compassion, but we know we will fall short therefore we will need to forgive and be forgiven as well. Ephesians 5:25 says, "Husbands love your wife as Christ loved the church." We are to love, cherish, and nurture our spouse so as to help our beloved get to heaven. Our goal in marriage is not just an earthly goal but also eternal. Your marriage has eternal ramifications; to help someone else (and more if kids come along) get to heaven. Our spouse is a blessing from God. It was the Lord who brought the two of you together and He has a great plan for you.

   Children are the supreme gift of marriage and contribute greatly to the parents. A loving father and mother create the best homes for children, the domestic churches, where children learn to love and be loved. Our society does not see children as the ultimate gift, but what more could two people do than to unite their love for one another and in that love create another eternal soul? We share in God's creative love and your love is made eternal in your child.

May God bless you and your family, bless the country he so mercifully gave to us, and bestow grace upon us that we as Christians can bring all back to Him.

Ragman

Euthanasias 'R Us

Remember when the so called debate was at a fever pitch over Obamacare? That is to say, before many backroom deals and having it crammed down our throats, one of the biggest concerns was the "death panels" that would ensue after its full passage.

I know, Liberals don't like the use of the term, "death panels," and prefer the Obamacare terminology of, "End of Life Counseling." In fact those that use the term, "death panels" are completely mocked and humiliated by the lame street media as being moronic, crazy, lunatic extremists for thinking that America would ever euthanize anyone besides babies in the womb, who they don't consider to be living people. They would be the first to march against euthanizing animals.

But, in the case of then Illinois Senator Barack Obama, he voted to allow infanticide when Illinois SB 1082 was voted down in the committee of which he was the chair. That bill would have allowed for the protection of any child including abortion survivors.  The bill defined the term "born-alive infant" as any infant, even one born as the result of an unsuccessful abortion that shows vital signs separate from its mother. The bill would have established that infants thus defined were humans with legal rights.

We have tried and tried to tell you. If you give an inch, they take a mile. This is why believers in right to life are so adamant about defending life. When life is cheapened in any way it affects life at every stage of the game including the euthanasia of the "non-useful-to-society" such as the handicapped, mentally retarded, and the elderly who are deemed as unfit to live because they have outlived their usefulness to society. 

You think I'm making this up? Check out news from the champion of the world in euthanasia, the Netherlands. This article from The Guardian on March 1, 2012, "Dutch mobile euthanasia units to make house calls," explains how the Dutch will now make house calls to euthanize those who want to end their lives. Holy Soylent Green, Batman. Is this really happening? Yes it is. This is not a trick title or heading. The article explains in detail how the Dutch Association for a Voluntary End to Life has launched what they call house-call units. And the services are being offered FREE OF CHARGE! Does that not set off an alarm bell for anyone other than me? No charge, just give us a call and we'll come put you down before you know what hit you. Oh, don't worry about not having the money, just give us a call at, Euthanasias 'R Us!

So you say, "but that could never happen here." It's just plain old, simple math, people. Let me try to explain it so even a liberal can understand. When you give every citizen "free" healthcare in a situation where medical facilities and practitioners are already in short supply ---> decrease the amount of money the government will pay them, thereby reducing the amount of people willing to spend 10 years of their life preparing to be doctors ----> (Now stay with me, it's simple math)----> it naturally follows that there won't be enough healthcare to go around ------> so somebody has to decide who receives treatment and who doesn’t ----->not the doctors or patients, that duty would fall on, you guessed it,  the "End of Life Counseling" panel. It's common sense people. Who gets the cancer treatment.....my 93 year old dad who has worked hard all his life to pay for his health insurance or the 25 year old who’s never worked a day in his life?

Now doesn't that sound a whole lot better than the "Death Panel?" I mean death panel is such a messy term; we better not use that one. In case you think my mathematical formula for who gets eliminated in this game of Big-Government-playing-God, is a bunch of hypothetical nonsense, it's already in full use. The Dutch have been using this model for years, along with universal healthcare. The Dutch are now killing 2300 to 3100 people a year through the End of Life Association. The actual numbers are likely to be much higher since many cases are not registered.

Remember the story from my blog, "Right to Choose" about throwing a frog in water? That's the principle at work here. Throw a frog in boiling water, he will jump out. But, throw him in a pot of cold water and slowly turn up the heat and he will never notice and slowly boil to death. Here's the analogy. Justify that fetuses are not humans yet -allow them to be killed in the womb - then allow those that are in the last trimester to be killed in partial birth abortion - then allow an abortion survival baby to just lay on the table to die instead of receiving life-saving medical attention - then say that it's merciful to let anyone choose to end their life, and you see how the heart and mindset gets totally de-sensitized to the protection of all life.

The Declaration of Independence declares that all men are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Well, it all starts with right to life. There can be no liberty or pursuit of happiness without having life. America, we must pursue the sanctity of life and we must be vigilant in exposing all lies and distortions of truth that claim otherwise. 
God Bless America!
Storeytime