Government Continuity Should be Simple, Simple

We all learned in elementary school that the U.S. government is "for the people and by the people." What a beautifully simple idea. Too bad it's not this way in practice.

I have lot's of experience with the government and I can tell you that civil servants take their responsibilities very seriously - for the most part. It's just that the notion of continuity has gotten lost since the 1980's, and it's continuity that keeps the governmental services we all enjoy flowing despite changes in the political power structure.

In the past, changing presidential administrations didn't change the work being done in the various federal agencies. Only the responsibility for providing responsible oversight changed hands. Things kept running according to well thought through and approved plans.

Not today. Every new team wants to leave their mark on society. So, they change the plans to reflect their thoughts and desires. Well, one fault of government at all levels is things change slowly. This is due to having split components that we call "checks and balances." One part of the government asks for money for programs and another decides how much money to give out and which programs are needed. At the Federal level, this process takes a minimum of two years to work through. So, every four years we get new leadership and they want to change direction. It then takes another two years to get the money to do the programs and initiatives this new group is sponsoring. By then, we have another election underway, and possibly another group taking office when the programs of the former group are just getting started.

It's a mess. A mess that results in declining levels of service, mass confusion within the government agencies, and lot's of room for fraud, waste, and abuse to occur amidst the confusion. One of the reasons things haven't completely gone to hell in a hand basket is due to the dedication and hard work of the career civil servants who maintain stability despite the changing political appointees. They've done a very good job over the last 20 years, but the odds are against them. Too many "old timers" are retiring to guarantee "continuity" for much longer.

Then what happens?

I think this will be the catalyst to change the entire government structure. The antiquated structures of the last hundred years have been failing to provide the agility and flexibility this country demands to operate in unstable and ever changing times.

I just hope we have self-less and courageous leaders who recognize this opportunity and do the right things. Else, this could be the end of our U.S. federal system that the founding fathers established. And, considering the alternative governing styles, I'm not sure we will recognize the America of the future.

Our current administration has been flagrantly arrogant in their quest to hasten the demise of the middle class. Why? Because it's to their advantage to have more space between their ruling class and the rest of the population. Most people don't see this coming -- that's why it's so easy. As long as we are fed, happy, and entertained most people won't complain. Oh yes, and we don't read anymore. We soak up the tidbits of nightly news from the TV, where the rich decide what news to publish. Sigh.

But, there is good news. Just don't take their word for anything. Find out for yourself. Talk with your relatives and friends about what is happening. Think! And, VOTE! And, get active in your community.

It's that simple, simple!

Cell Phones are not Simple, Simple

We all do it.

Have cell phones and use them in inappropriate times and places.

The question is why?

Do you really want to annoy everyone in the grocery store who is unlucky enough to find themselves in your vicinity?

Do you really want to share your personal details about last nights dating exploits with the children standing nearby?

Do you really want to cause that driver to crash into the back of your car because you didn't see that red light due to having a heated argument with your boyfriend?

Come On People - Nothing in your life is that important! Honestly, it isn't - unless you are the President of the United States and in critical negotiations to keep us from a nuclear incident.

Cell phones have seriously complicated our lives...

They are expensive toys for the self-indulgent among us (look in the mirror - it's all of us.) Okay, it's good to have an electronic leash on your children after school. But, that's out of control too. Kids don't talk to each other anymore - even when sitting next to each other. They text instead. Hey, I work with and love technology. But, that's a seriously unnatural thing to do. (I was going to say it's sick, but I didn't want to upset anyone.)

We need some quiet, down-time in our lives. Cell phones rob us of peace and quiet - among other things. It is unhealthy to be connected all the time. When the mind isn't given adequate recovery time, it gets sick. Sick minds are something none of us need to have. So, do yourself and the rest of us a huge favor - give the cell phone (and yourself) a rest.

Ever sit in church and someone's cell rings? What was so important to that person that they needed to bring that phone with them into a setting where one is to reflect and meditate on the meaning of their life?

I really hate to tell you this - you are NOT that important, to anyone - unless there is an emergency. And, the odds are, it is not an emergency - a real emergency where someone's life is endangered. And, if you really cared about people's lives, you would not drive while talking on the cell phone!

It's time to simpify and to get real. Gadgets are major contributors to the pollution of the mind. Think about it... then write someone a letter and mail it to them. Bet they will truly appreciate the time and effort you took to send it to them.

Simplify - Get Rid of Your Junk!

Have you got too much stuff? I know I do. Why, I asked myself and I came up with some reasons, all of which don't hold much water...

One rationale is "I might need this again." Well, I've had most of those items for a long time and I haven't yet needed them. Solution - throw it away or donate it to a good cause.

Another answer is "it came from someone I loved." Okay, so what does having this thing do for that loved one? Even if they have passed on to a better place, I doubt if they realize I still have this thing of theirs. Solution - throw it away or donate it to a good cause.

Last reason I'll bore you with is "it's worth a lot of money." But, if it's not being used, it doesn't matter what it is worth. And, how do you know it's really worth anything anyway? Has it been appraised of late? Solution - throw it away or donate it to a good cause.

Why am I ranting about this topic? Because, "stuff" complicates our lives!

We need to manage all our "stuff" and that takes time and effort. Time and effort we should be putting to use doing more meaningful things, such as reading, hiking, talking to each other, being active in our communities, and relaxing.

If we value our lives by the amount of "stuff" we have, "stuff" that doesn't have any use or value for us (if we are honest with ourselves), then we are deceiving ourselves.

We also need bigger houses to hold all our "stuff" and since we work long hours to get more money to buy more "stuff," we don't have time or energy to enjoy our bigger houses and play with all our "stuff."

I, for one, want to get off this merry-go-round. I don't need all this "stuff" because it doesn't make me happy. It just frustrates me when I see it laying around in the basement or attic.

Solution - throw it away or donate it to a good cause.

Another "Simple" Idea - Read the U.S. Constitution, Know Your Rights

If you read the U.S. Constitution, you will be very surprised to find it is a short, simple document. It's that way on purpose. The authors wanted real people to be able to carry it on their person and to understand its contents.

Isn't that a wonderfully "simple, simple" idea!

So, why do we need so many lawyers to decipher U.S. Constitutional law for us?

Here's the "simple, simple" answer -> people look for loop holes and are willing to pay lot's of money to those who can find them.

Ah, another "simple, simple" fact of life -> greed drives people to make things complex to hide what is really going on by confuse and bewilder "simple" folks, who have been led to believe there's something magic about being able to understand and interpret the law.

I don't think you are stupid and I think you should recognize what's happening. This is nothing new, but it can be stopped. All we need to do is call "FOUL" when we see something going against the rules. How do we know the rules? Read the U.S. Constitution for starts. Then, keep reading and get a copy of your state and local laws. You'll be surprised at what things you are still allowed to do in this country.

Please, make getting smart and taking charge of your life a priority. It's not too late to bring common sense back into our decision-making processes. It's not too late to talk with your neighbors and friends about how you would like your community to be operated. It's not too late to influence what and how subjects are taught in our schools. It's not too late to regain respect for ourselves.

It "simple, simple" takes getting up, turning off the TV, and getting some books from your local library for free - start reading, ask questions, and learn how you can make things better.

Thank you for visiting and reading this posting.

Hope you have a nice day.

KISSimple

Keep it Simple, Simple!

Things are so complicated and stressful. Why is it this way? What can we do about it? I'd like to explore this in the hopes of actually living a better lifestyle and enjoying what time I have left. Frankly there's so much BS being forced upon us by the power brokers these days - perhaps it's always been this way... But, never with the virtuosity and self-centered motives driving our species to self-destruct and destroy everything else on the planet at the same time.

There was a movement in the late 60's and early 70's to control population growth. Sounded like a good idea back then and it's probably even more necessary today. It's one of those "simple, simple" theories that people should restrict their reproductive rates to only replace themselves. That's one child for each parent. At the time, it was predicted that doing so would preserve the planet's resources for generations to come. We didn't do it and now we are facing food shortages (at best) and an uninhabitable planet. Come on, folks. This was foreseen, so why are we sitting in our own sh_t now? Because, the greedy have inherited the Earth and are sucking it dry without conscience or remorse.

This raises the "simple, simple" question: Why do the masses allow these few to control how the limited resources available on this planet are used?

The "simple, simple" answer is: We, the masses, have been hypothesized by the shiny objects the power brokers dangle before our eyes - HDTV, BMW, Diamond jewelry, Laptop Computers, iPods, etc. Furthermore, they filled our stomaches with processed starches and carbohydrates. These are poisons that pollute the body and zap it of energy. The "simple, simple" fact is that our natural "fight or flight" reflexes no longer work for us. We are stuck on the couch like the lard bottom couch-potatoes we are.

Now that we are securely bolted to the couch and mesmerized by all our toys, the people in control are raping and pillaging without worry or constraint.

Are YOU "simple, simple" willing to let them do this to you and to your kids, and their kids?

We have got to wake up - shred your credit cards, eat fresh and "simple" foods, and READ so you can make your own opinions. It's okay - your brain is just waiting for you to use it.

Have a good day.