I'm not a politician. Actually, preachers are. There are lots of politics in the operation of a church. But regarding entering civil politics, I've never been remotely interested. Although I have shared before that in the dreaming and scheming of my mind I often think about being president and what I would do. That's one of the ways I entertain myself during the long hours of commuting and yes, at three am when I can't sleep.
I think that if we could get the politics out of politicking, or at least diffuse some of the highly partisan bickering, there are common sense solutions to our mutual problems.
I believe that if you want to Make America Great Again then one of the most important things we can do is pass immigration reform. A cornerstone of that reform should be a greatly expanded guest worker program, not a wall to keep people out.
The historical expansion of the American economy has always relied on an abundant supply of labor, and in order to achieve that we have welcomed immigrants. From the factories in the industrial east to building the railroads in the west, to homesteading the farmland in the heartland, our nation has turned to immigrants for advancing our future.
As immigration quotas have restricted the supply of an economical labor force, i.e. immigrants, corporations have resorted to exporting jobs rather than importing the labor. One of the effects of this is that at the same time our population is aging, we don't have enough people in the labor force paying into Social Security. As the Baby Boomers move into retirement in mass numbers, this is going to show up more and more, and significant adjustments will need to be made. This is the thing. If the factory is built north of the border, rather than in Mexico, then the labor force pays into SS. That funds your and my retirement. If it is built south of the border, no one is paying into Social Security.
We also have a shortage of qualified labor in many of our industries. At the cabinet shop where I work they pretty much hire any person with experience that applies, because so few are available to meet our needs. The trades are suffering. The tendency in our upwardly mobile society is for people to seek higher paying jobs and leave the less lucrative trades behind. It's hard to hire someone to sand and prep our work. When we built Luther Park, we relied heavily on a Hispanic workforce to do the drywall. They 'own' the commercial drywall industry. No one else can do it as fast and as well. And it takes a special type of hard working people to do this work. Immigrants have done it.
If our economy is going to expand, we need an expanding workforce. And we are not having enough babies to supply this need. The only way to expand the workforce while the birth rate declines is to open the border to immigration.
My guest worker program would be industry based. Specific employers or associations would demonstrate a need for immigrant labor and be issued a sufficient amount of work permits to meet that need. It would be their responsibility to return those immigrants to their home country if they are no longer employed. Immigrants could earn the right to permanent status and eventual citizenship by successfully participating in a guest worker program for a number of years. American citizens could be protected in the process.
The most common sense thing about this is that if we meet the needs for an immigrant labor force by providing a legal way of doing that -- illegal immigration evaporates. Every person at our southern border wants to enter legally. Illegal immigration is not the preference. But illegal immigration will continue as long as there is an unmet need for laborers in this country. Bottom line is that your all American blond hair blue eyed man or woman is not going to pick your apples or spend their life doing hot melt roofing. I realize that's a racist statement. But it is simply a fact that there are all sorts of jobs that Hispanic immigrants will do that white anglo saxon protestants won't. . .Simply a fact.
Apart from immigration America has never grown or expanded its economy. It's our lifeline. It shouldn't take a bipolar pastor in Idaho to tell the politicians in Washington, DC that this is so. Just read your history books. Well. And learn.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Onslaught and the Soul of a Nation
Onslaught. That's the word that came to me as I contemplated the events in Washington, DC. Especially troublesome to me this morning is the taunting and harassment of Nathan Phillips, the Omaha Elder. I grew up with that sort of behavior in South Dakota.
I suppose I was in junior high at the time of the American Indian Movement protests in South Dakota. They gathered at Wounded Knee. They took over the courthouse in Sioux Falls. They unleashed a furor amid the white population of South Dakota.
I remember a conversation I had with my boss at the grocery store where I worked. Stella was her name. I remember saying "We did take their land, and I suppose we'd be angry too if someone did that to us." Her response was to say what a terrible shame it would have been to leave the great plains and the wonderful farmland in the hands of the Indians. What a waste.
I also remember an event that precipitated the protests at Wounded Knee and elsewhere. A Native American man showed up at a community event south of Pine Ridge, across the border in Nebraska if I recall. A bunch of good ol' boys decided to have some fun and got out their pistols to shoot at his feet to make him dance. Perhaps you've seen that type of scene depicted in art or cowboy and indian movies. It was acted out in real life. The Native American man died that night.
Subhuman. Savages. Drunks. All too common images.
I wish I could say that I had gotten to know my neighbors in South Dakota. Our state had the highest percentage of Native People in the nation. Vast reservations in the western part of the state. Rosebud. Pine Ridge. I played against the Indian Schools in High School sports.
But this was the thing. My belief and experience was that South Dakota was the most segregated state in the nation. The reservations did that. My high school was almost 100% white, save for a couple of Native Americans, who subsequently dropped out of school. The next school district over was on the reservation and 90% Native. There were not separate facilities for whites and 'colored'. There were separate parts of the state for each to live in. Blacks were forced to sit at the back of the bus. There were no buses in South Dakota. No intermingling to speak of at all.
There was the overwhelming sense that the superior race won. White supremacy was so prevalent that it hardly merited speaking about. Everyone just knew it.
But this is the thing. The assertion of racial supremacy is in itself, the proof of the opposite.
One of the best experiences of my collegiate days was to take a minorities studies course at Augustana taught by Dr. Martin Brokenleg. Many lessons about the differences in our cultures. One of the observations that he made which stuck with me is the assertion that Native Americans suffered greatly in this country, in part, because they made lousy slaves. Their spirit simply wouldn't submit. They'd rather die, and many did. That's why we imported slaves. The Lakota were not going to pick cotton.
But back to Covington High School youth and the protests and counter protests in DC. A Christian youth group. A Roman Catholic youth group. Roman Catholic. Many Native Americans have embraced the Roman Catholic faith through the work of the missions over the years. I'm troubled that these young men went to DC as Christians to protest abortion, and yet showed such disrespect for the life of another. Pro-life has to be more than 'anti-abortion'.
Making America Great Again cannot be about returning to the interracial strife of the last century and before.
We are better than that.
This is not a white nation. It never has been. It has always been a mix of peoples, at least since Europeans set foot in the land. Actually, the various indigenous nations that populated the land before European immigration represented a great cultural diversity in and of itself. Cultural diversity is the norm in this land. Always has been.
But the history books I studied haven't done it justice. Hispanics were here first. Natives were always here. This nation was built by immigrants from every part of the world.
Funniest thing about the DC event is that the kids from Covington chanted "Build that Wall". Don't they realize THEY were the immigrants?
I'm hopeful. I honestly believe that we will rise up above racism and grow in our respect for one another. The intimidation of Nathan Phillips would not have made the news in the South Dakota of my youth. We've changed. We will continue to change. And my liberal bias is that we are changing for the better. This latest onslaught of white supremacy will pass. Trump will not be forever.
Yes, one can hope.
I suppose I was in junior high at the time of the American Indian Movement protests in South Dakota. They gathered at Wounded Knee. They took over the courthouse in Sioux Falls. They unleashed a furor amid the white population of South Dakota.
I remember a conversation I had with my boss at the grocery store where I worked. Stella was her name. I remember saying "We did take their land, and I suppose we'd be angry too if someone did that to us." Her response was to say what a terrible shame it would have been to leave the great plains and the wonderful farmland in the hands of the Indians. What a waste.
I also remember an event that precipitated the protests at Wounded Knee and elsewhere. A Native American man showed up at a community event south of Pine Ridge, across the border in Nebraska if I recall. A bunch of good ol' boys decided to have some fun and got out their pistols to shoot at his feet to make him dance. Perhaps you've seen that type of scene depicted in art or cowboy and indian movies. It was acted out in real life. The Native American man died that night.
Subhuman. Savages. Drunks. All too common images.
I wish I could say that I had gotten to know my neighbors in South Dakota. Our state had the highest percentage of Native People in the nation. Vast reservations in the western part of the state. Rosebud. Pine Ridge. I played against the Indian Schools in High School sports.
But this was the thing. My belief and experience was that South Dakota was the most segregated state in the nation. The reservations did that. My high school was almost 100% white, save for a couple of Native Americans, who subsequently dropped out of school. The next school district over was on the reservation and 90% Native. There were not separate facilities for whites and 'colored'. There were separate parts of the state for each to live in. Blacks were forced to sit at the back of the bus. There were no buses in South Dakota. No intermingling to speak of at all.
There was the overwhelming sense that the superior race won. White supremacy was so prevalent that it hardly merited speaking about. Everyone just knew it.
But this is the thing. The assertion of racial supremacy is in itself, the proof of the opposite.
One of the best experiences of my collegiate days was to take a minorities studies course at Augustana taught by Dr. Martin Brokenleg. Many lessons about the differences in our cultures. One of the observations that he made which stuck with me is the assertion that Native Americans suffered greatly in this country, in part, because they made lousy slaves. Their spirit simply wouldn't submit. They'd rather die, and many did. That's why we imported slaves. The Lakota were not going to pick cotton.
But back to Covington High School youth and the protests and counter protests in DC. A Christian youth group. A Roman Catholic youth group. Roman Catholic. Many Native Americans have embraced the Roman Catholic faith through the work of the missions over the years. I'm troubled that these young men went to DC as Christians to protest abortion, and yet showed such disrespect for the life of another. Pro-life has to be more than 'anti-abortion'.
Making America Great Again cannot be about returning to the interracial strife of the last century and before.
We are better than that.
This is not a white nation. It never has been. It has always been a mix of peoples, at least since Europeans set foot in the land. Actually, the various indigenous nations that populated the land before European immigration represented a great cultural diversity in and of itself. Cultural diversity is the norm in this land. Always has been.
But the history books I studied haven't done it justice. Hispanics were here first. Natives were always here. This nation was built by immigrants from every part of the world.
Funniest thing about the DC event is that the kids from Covington chanted "Build that Wall". Don't they realize THEY were the immigrants?
I'm hopeful. I honestly believe that we will rise up above racism and grow in our respect for one another. The intimidation of Nathan Phillips would not have made the news in the South Dakota of my youth. We've changed. We will continue to change. And my liberal bias is that we are changing for the better. This latest onslaught of white supremacy will pass. Trump will not be forever.
Yes, one can hope.
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Aging Well
In a few weeks I'll turn sixty two. Retirement is now a choice. Not necessarily a good choice at this time, but a choice nevertheless. If I retired today I'd be able to match the income I've been making from my cabinet making, but not from my church work. Delaying retirement will bring up my income to the point where I'll be able to match my total income.
But with my background it's nice to know that retirement is an option. I have sufficient equity in my home that if I really needed to retire I could sell this home, purchase a less expensive home, and be able to live frugally. For example, I could pay cash for a home in Otis Orchards where my church is. There's some freedom in knowing that is an option. My continuing to work is a choice, not a necessity. I choose to continue working so that we can live in Sandpoint, not Otis Orchards. We like it here.
I'm thinking about aging more these days. Last night we had steak for dinner. Karla and I shared one. And we couldn't finish it. Senior portions. And then there is my sleep patterns. Early to bed, early to rise. This is so foreign to the pattern I established over the course of my life.
And then there is the death of my father. Both mom and dad are gone now. This fact came front and center for two reasons this month. On a trivial note, I deleted their contact information from my phone. That was unexpectedly an emotional experience. Secondly, the estate will settle this month.
I suppose the joy of being a grandparent also leads one to consider aging. As does the simple fact that our children are more and more prone to 'help out' mom and dad. And we are more inclined to accept their assistance. I also notice this in my work at the cabinet shop. I can still lift heavy sheets of plywood by myself. But you know what? If there is a young buck walking by at that moment I'm not at all hesitant to ask for and receive help. I don't have to prove my manhood anymore. At least not by lifting 150#.
It seems to me there is a fundamental choice that we make at this time in our life. Do we devote ourselves to preserving our youth, or aging gracefully.
To dye or not to dye. That's the question many women face. Karla has chosen to wear her grey hair as a badge of honor. She earned it (living with me!). Fun fact-- gray can be spelled either gray or grey, it's not black or white.
To work out or not work out. My doctors would like to see me exercise more. I struggle with that because of my knees (and just about every other joint). I'm on my feet and physically active at the cabinet shop. If I overdo it exercising at home I suffer through sore knees at work. What really bothers me is stairs and walking on uneven surfaces. Too soon for replacements. I'm reminded of my grandmother who never went upstairs in her home. The children would be instructed to change the sheets when they stayed, and bring down the dirty sheets when they left. Grandma would wash them, and put them on the steps for the next visitor to use.
Contentedness. I'm neither 18 or 88 at this point. I'm at peace with that. I look forward to retirement, but I'm not desperate for it either. When the time comes, I'll retire first from the cabinet shop and spend my time in my own shop doing furniture for my family and improving our home. And then, I'll retire at a later date from the church I serve, depending of course on whether my call there lasts that long. All in due time.
In woodworking, the greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the finished product. In life I think the greatest satisfaction I've experienced is from seeing my children reach adulthood and turn out to be such wonderful people, each in their own right. You don't get that experience when you are 28. It's the exclusive privilege of aging.
So rather than lament the fact that I'm getting older, I'm rejoicing in the fact that my adult children are now becoming my friends. That is truly a blessing.
But with my background it's nice to know that retirement is an option. I have sufficient equity in my home that if I really needed to retire I could sell this home, purchase a less expensive home, and be able to live frugally. For example, I could pay cash for a home in Otis Orchards where my church is. There's some freedom in knowing that is an option. My continuing to work is a choice, not a necessity. I choose to continue working so that we can live in Sandpoint, not Otis Orchards. We like it here.
I'm thinking about aging more these days. Last night we had steak for dinner. Karla and I shared one. And we couldn't finish it. Senior portions. And then there is my sleep patterns. Early to bed, early to rise. This is so foreign to the pattern I established over the course of my life.
And then there is the death of my father. Both mom and dad are gone now. This fact came front and center for two reasons this month. On a trivial note, I deleted their contact information from my phone. That was unexpectedly an emotional experience. Secondly, the estate will settle this month.
I suppose the joy of being a grandparent also leads one to consider aging. As does the simple fact that our children are more and more prone to 'help out' mom and dad. And we are more inclined to accept their assistance. I also notice this in my work at the cabinet shop. I can still lift heavy sheets of plywood by myself. But you know what? If there is a young buck walking by at that moment I'm not at all hesitant to ask for and receive help. I don't have to prove my manhood anymore. At least not by lifting 150#.
It seems to me there is a fundamental choice that we make at this time in our life. Do we devote ourselves to preserving our youth, or aging gracefully.
To dye or not to dye. That's the question many women face. Karla has chosen to wear her grey hair as a badge of honor. She earned it (living with me!). Fun fact-- gray can be spelled either gray or grey, it's not black or white.
To work out or not work out. My doctors would like to see me exercise more. I struggle with that because of my knees (and just about every other joint). I'm on my feet and physically active at the cabinet shop. If I overdo it exercising at home I suffer through sore knees at work. What really bothers me is stairs and walking on uneven surfaces. Too soon for replacements. I'm reminded of my grandmother who never went upstairs in her home. The children would be instructed to change the sheets when they stayed, and bring down the dirty sheets when they left. Grandma would wash them, and put them on the steps for the next visitor to use.
Contentedness. I'm neither 18 or 88 at this point. I'm at peace with that. I look forward to retirement, but I'm not desperate for it either. When the time comes, I'll retire first from the cabinet shop and spend my time in my own shop doing furniture for my family and improving our home. And then, I'll retire at a later date from the church I serve, depending of course on whether my call there lasts that long. All in due time.
In woodworking, the greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the finished product. In life I think the greatest satisfaction I've experienced is from seeing my children reach adulthood and turn out to be such wonderful people, each in their own right. You don't get that experience when you are 28. It's the exclusive privilege of aging.
So rather than lament the fact that I'm getting older, I'm rejoicing in the fact that my adult children are now becoming my friends. That is truly a blessing.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
This and that
4:45 am and I awoke. "Up early, again." some of you might say. Well, no, actually, I slept in considerably. But what is greatest about that is that it was a night that I slept without waking. I'd stayed up a little later because of the Seahawks football game. But even with that, normally I'd have awoken by 3:30 at the latest. I leave for work by 4:45. Nice to sleep.
I saw my neurologist, the sleep specialist, this last month. He had been called by my insurance company. Rozerem, the sleep medication I'm on, is expensive. They don't like that. By expensive I mean approximately $10 a day. He informed them that there is no other drug in that class, no other options, and so I believe that they have OK'd it once again. One of the reasons I continue to see this doctor is that as a neurologist who specializes in sleep his word carries significantly more weight than would the word of a family practice physician.
The reason for the expensive pill for my insomnia? Well, for starters it is one of the few medications that can be taken long term without risk of addiction or significant side effects. One of the others that I'd previously taken worked almost as well, it's just that there was a long term risk of liver damage and addiction. I could just as well have continued with Scotch. Thankfully, I'm good to go with Rozerem. I think.
I keep on thinking to myself that I wish insurance companies would support medication that keeps me well, as opposed to risking my getting seriously ill once again. For the most part they have. And Abilify, the most expensive drug I am on is now available in generic form, and is but a fraction of what it once was. It had been $30 a day.
My cynicism regarding my prescription drug coverage comes up from time to time. I used to use our local pharmacy, and when I did Express Scripts, who manages the prescription drug coverage for our Church, would continually question every medication. Even my latanoprost drops which I use because I'm pre-glaucoma. Yeash, it's only a few dollars, why bother harassing my doctors about it.
Well, you can also fill the prescriptions through Express Scripts pharmacy. Funny thing, when they are selling them, and reaping the profit, they don't question them near as much. Funny thing. I wonder if Portico, the Church's insurance, knows that.
On another note, I had my annual physical last month. I'm doing well. I've gained a little weight due to quitting smoking. Doctor says I'd have to gain a hundred pounds to counteract the positives from quitting smoking. It was also the first time he'd seen me since my bowel obstruction and surgery. I was able to have laparoscopic surgery. He shared with me how lucky we are to live today with all the medical advancements. A hundred years ago I would have been told to just go to bed and die.
I add that I do feel lucky. A few pills a day and my bipolar disorder is well managed. Yeah, they can be expensive, but the alternative of a lifetime of disability and going in and out of psych wards is more expensive. Instead, I have my life back.
So life is good. Praise God.
I saw my neurologist, the sleep specialist, this last month. He had been called by my insurance company. Rozerem, the sleep medication I'm on, is expensive. They don't like that. By expensive I mean approximately $10 a day. He informed them that there is no other drug in that class, no other options, and so I believe that they have OK'd it once again. One of the reasons I continue to see this doctor is that as a neurologist who specializes in sleep his word carries significantly more weight than would the word of a family practice physician.
The reason for the expensive pill for my insomnia? Well, for starters it is one of the few medications that can be taken long term without risk of addiction or significant side effects. One of the others that I'd previously taken worked almost as well, it's just that there was a long term risk of liver damage and addiction. I could just as well have continued with Scotch. Thankfully, I'm good to go with Rozerem. I think.
I keep on thinking to myself that I wish insurance companies would support medication that keeps me well, as opposed to risking my getting seriously ill once again. For the most part they have. And Abilify, the most expensive drug I am on is now available in generic form, and is but a fraction of what it once was. It had been $30 a day.
My cynicism regarding my prescription drug coverage comes up from time to time. I used to use our local pharmacy, and when I did Express Scripts, who manages the prescription drug coverage for our Church, would continually question every medication. Even my latanoprost drops which I use because I'm pre-glaucoma. Yeash, it's only a few dollars, why bother harassing my doctors about it.
Well, you can also fill the prescriptions through Express Scripts pharmacy. Funny thing, when they are selling them, and reaping the profit, they don't question them near as much. Funny thing. I wonder if Portico, the Church's insurance, knows that.
On another note, I had my annual physical last month. I'm doing well. I've gained a little weight due to quitting smoking. Doctor says I'd have to gain a hundred pounds to counteract the positives from quitting smoking. It was also the first time he'd seen me since my bowel obstruction and surgery. I was able to have laparoscopic surgery. He shared with me how lucky we are to live today with all the medical advancements. A hundred years ago I would have been told to just go to bed and die.
I add that I do feel lucky. A few pills a day and my bipolar disorder is well managed. Yeah, they can be expensive, but the alternative of a lifetime of disability and going in and out of psych wards is more expensive. Instead, I have my life back.
So life is good. Praise God.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Major Announcement. . .
Fellow citizens, after deep reflection and consideration, but without consulting with any of my supporters, I have come to the conclusion that I will not be running for President of the United States this election cycle. I reach this decision with a heavy heart, but feel that it is the best course of action at this time.
I was going to mount a campaign with the slogan "Make America Sane Again", which preliminary market studies showed to have a certain appeal to the American public. A second slogan would have been "Dave Olson for President: At least he's on his meds."
I know this will be received by many of you with great disappointment. And I understand, but still, the toll this would have taken on my family and me was just too great.
I do believe that my experience with being bipolar would have made me well suited for the Presidency. For example, my own experience is that taking Lamictal is an effective remedy for the highs and lows that are too often experienced. This is exactly what the stock market needs. Wild swings up and down are not beneficial to the nation's economy. I have a solution. Lamictal. Or lithium, if need be.
Some feel our nation is headed towards a depression. There you have it, another issue with which I am uniquely equipped and experienced to handle.
I have also learned fiscal responsibility. Although when it comes to the federal budget and allocating trillions of dollars of resources it might be necessary to go off my meds for a spell. Bipolar people in a manic phase are quite adept at the task of spending vast amounts of money. Debt is also something we have personal experience with. Bipolar people are like that. My solution for the national debt is that we will accept an unlimited amount of promotional credit cards and continually transfer funds back and forth to maintain zero interest on the balance. This would save us lots of money.
I would have led us back to a time when we were a kinder, gentler, nation. Our theme song would have been "Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor, would you be mine." Part of this emphasis would require all drivers to wave at each other, like they do in the farming communities of the midwest.
I believe that we need to respond to the humanitarian crisis of immigrants at our southern border. And yet, I also believe that we need a means of restricting entrance to the country to those who really want to be here and need to be here because of dire necessity. A simple solution can be found in my Norwegian American background (and by the way, I will be doing a genetic test to prove that I am of Norwegian descent). What we would have done is to welcome these immigrants and asylum seekers and provide them with lutefisk to eat for their first year in the country. This would have reduced the amount of people seeking entrance to the country to those who truly need to come here.
One of the questions asked during campaigns is the phone call at 3 am question. Who do you want taking that call? Hey, I'm up at 3 am anyway. No big deal.
I am somewhat disappointed to come to this conclusion. Being bipolar I could have brought both the melancholy of Abraham Lincoln and vast ambition of FDR back to the White House.
Some of you are rolling your eyes and saying "Dave, you're just not smart enough to be President." True. But this is my belief. (And for the first time in this piece of satire, I'm being dead serious.) The job of the President is to surround himself or herself with people far smarter than they, to the end that they are the dumbest person in the room. Their job as President is not to be the smartest, but to pray instead for wisdom. And this is my prayer, that as we as a nation enter the next election cycle we will seek out and find a candidate that may not be the most experienced, nor the most intelligent, nor the most charismatic, and certainly not the richest, but rather simply wise.
I was going to mount a campaign with the slogan "Make America Sane Again", which preliminary market studies showed to have a certain appeal to the American public. A second slogan would have been "Dave Olson for President: At least he's on his meds."
I know this will be received by many of you with great disappointment. And I understand, but still, the toll this would have taken on my family and me was just too great.
I do believe that my experience with being bipolar would have made me well suited for the Presidency. For example, my own experience is that taking Lamictal is an effective remedy for the highs and lows that are too often experienced. This is exactly what the stock market needs. Wild swings up and down are not beneficial to the nation's economy. I have a solution. Lamictal. Or lithium, if need be.
Some feel our nation is headed towards a depression. There you have it, another issue with which I am uniquely equipped and experienced to handle.
I have also learned fiscal responsibility. Although when it comes to the federal budget and allocating trillions of dollars of resources it might be necessary to go off my meds for a spell. Bipolar people in a manic phase are quite adept at the task of spending vast amounts of money. Debt is also something we have personal experience with. Bipolar people are like that. My solution for the national debt is that we will accept an unlimited amount of promotional credit cards and continually transfer funds back and forth to maintain zero interest on the balance. This would save us lots of money.
I would have led us back to a time when we were a kinder, gentler, nation. Our theme song would have been "Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor, would you be mine." Part of this emphasis would require all drivers to wave at each other, like they do in the farming communities of the midwest.
I believe that we need to respond to the humanitarian crisis of immigrants at our southern border. And yet, I also believe that we need a means of restricting entrance to the country to those who really want to be here and need to be here because of dire necessity. A simple solution can be found in my Norwegian American background (and by the way, I will be doing a genetic test to prove that I am of Norwegian descent). What we would have done is to welcome these immigrants and asylum seekers and provide them with lutefisk to eat for their first year in the country. This would have reduced the amount of people seeking entrance to the country to those who truly need to come here.
One of the questions asked during campaigns is the phone call at 3 am question. Who do you want taking that call? Hey, I'm up at 3 am anyway. No big deal.
I am somewhat disappointed to come to this conclusion. Being bipolar I could have brought both the melancholy of Abraham Lincoln and vast ambition of FDR back to the White House.
Some of you are rolling your eyes and saying "Dave, you're just not smart enough to be President." True. But this is my belief. (And for the first time in this piece of satire, I'm being dead serious.) The job of the President is to surround himself or herself with people far smarter than they, to the end that they are the dumbest person in the room. Their job as President is not to be the smartest, but to pray instead for wisdom. And this is my prayer, that as we as a nation enter the next election cycle we will seek out and find a candidate that may not be the most experienced, nor the most intelligent, nor the most charismatic, and certainly not the richest, but rather simply wise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)