"This society in which we live is radically changing. What previous generations saw as evil is now embraced as being good. It is a dangerous and slippery slope upon which we stand when we reject what Solomon called the beginning of wisdom - the fear of God." ~ Ray Comfort, New Zealand Christian minister and author

Well, well, no need to worry, it's only me and my blog and we have shown up to say it's another day in the neighborhood that God has given to us on this Wednesday, September 12, 2018, and I do thank Him for it. Amen. I'm sure many of you have noticed that President Obama has decided to inject himself into the political quagmire that defines our discourse these days. He has every right to do so since he did most recently sit in the Oval Office and he does represent the Democrat Party. I think those who have responded to his speeches by calling him all kinds of slanderous names should be ashamed. Especially, those who claim to know the Lord. I oppose his politics. I could not disagree more with him saying he is responsible for the improved economic conditions. I can do that without being racist and hateful. As for him trying to take credit for the current economy, I heard one expert who said that cannot be anywhere near the truth. He based that on what he has seen in policy changes at the highest level of our government that has spurred economic growth. Those policy changes were and still are opposed by President Obama. Sadly, President Obama seems to be okay with this movement within the Democrat Party towards outright socialism. While he and his compatriots paint President Trump as the greatest threat to America, I hope most sober-minded citizens will give a lot of thought to how things would be in their vision of what they call democratic socialism. And, President Obama is right when he says that voting matters. It does. It really does. There's so much at stake.

I've been politically involved since I was a young teen. My great uncle was very involved in some local elections. He was in cahoots with some candidates who were trying to unseat the status quo incumbents. I was his helper. He paid me a small amount for my time. We went up and down country roads stopping at houses to give folks our brochures and other information. My uncle would typically deal with the head of the house and they would be whispering forth and back. I'm not sure if he ever promised stuff or resorted to actually buying votes, but, I wouldn't put it past him. I was more or less along for the ride. It did cause me some trouble. One of my life-long school chums was the son of one of those my uncle was trying to defeat. He wasn't happy that I was helping my uncle. I really wasn't taking a stand on anything, but, he saw it as me aiding and abetting their enemies. It all got resolved on election day. Everyone my uncle pushed lost. My friend and I eventually patched things up and life returned to normal. I think he finally realized that me helping my uncle was just a job to me. It was like the time one of the candidates for governor stopped to stump in our little town. He brought with him a truck that had free soft drinks and snacks. Some of us boys got real political in enjoying those treats. I enjoyed them so much I made myself sick as a dog. Literally. (I would describe how that saying fits but it would be too gross to mention.) I wasn't old enough to vote and did not support any candidate but I did support the free snacks. I guess that was my taste, pardon the pun, of democratic socialism in action.

I have been a voter since I became eligible. I hope that is your persuasion as well. I vote even when I don't have positive vibes about those competing, including those who say they identify with my values. In fact, that's where I get the word 'quagmire' I used earlier in this episode. What we have, in terms my grandfather might have used, is a huge mess. People I voted for who are supposed to espouse principles that honor our nation's commitment to liberty and freedom end up becoming owned by the system itself. Keeping their power and prestige becomes their overarching purpose. Frustrating? You betcha! However, I continue to vote. Sadly, I do at times, end up choosing the lesser of the evils presented to me. However, I continue to vote. Occasionally, someone rises up and calls us back to our roots. They connect with people like me. I vote for them. They don't win because The System is powerful. However, I continue to vote. Then we see something no one could have imagined. Donald Trump wins the election. Impossible. He was a flawed candidate and I did not support him running, however, when it came time to vote, I voted. The choice was clear but limited. It was Trump or Clinton. I took the flawed Trump over the alternative. I would do it again. In a heartbeat. He has contributed his own fair share to the mess we have, but, some good is being accomplished, thank God! And, if the Lord gives me strength, I will show up for the mid-term election on Tuesday, November 6, where I will again make decisions among flawed candidates, just like the rest of us. May God lead, guide, and direct our nation is my prayer. Amen. ....More later.