About Taxes: A Quote By J.C. Watts

"The government taxes you when you bring home a paycheck.
It taxes you when you make a phone call.
It taxes you when you turn on a light.
It taxes you when you sell a stock.
It taxes you when you fill your car with gas.
It taxes you when you ride a plane.
It taxes you when you get married.
Then it taxes you when you die.
This is taxual insanity and it must end.

J.C. Watts Jr.

Your Politics

Can I respect you and not agree with your politics?  Of course I can.  Are you not entitled to your opinion?  You are part of a political movement that I do not agree with.  It is immoral.  Have you ever heard of a political movement that does not have opposition?  I am opposed to your political movement.  Please do not be angry.  There is much more to life than politics.  I am commanded by God to love you.  So I do.  I just do not agree with everything you do.  You say what you do is your business.  If that were true..........we would not be having this conversation.

"The Passing Of Common Sense"

I do not recall the date.  It was actually  published in the obituary section of the London Times.  "The Passing Of Common Sense."

Hate Crime?

Hate crime? Bigot? Gun control? Liberal, progressive? They all tend to be unimportant. They all tend to be unimportant in light of the fact that someone was murdered. So……what is the solution? It is simple: don’t murder people. But this must be taught.

I sent the above short letter to a newspaper after reading a commentary about a murder that took place.

Immigrants

The USA is not a perfect country with a perfect history. Nevertheless, it is still the greatest country on this planet. It is a place of opportunity and freedom. In most instances, the price one must pay to succeed is work hard, don’t give your employer a hard time, be punctual, have a good attitude, know your job, and get along with your bosses and fellow workers. Do we live in a great country? Of course we do. I have talked to immigrants who have told me that they would rather be in prison in the United States than to go back to the country of their origin. They all said they would starve to death. What do most immigrants have in common? They are either Roman Catholic or Muslim. How many Muslim Presidents have we had? How many American Presidents were atheists? The facts are the facts. Reality faces us. Some will not acknowledge reality. Some will not give credit where credit is due. We still have great potential here. We need not blow it. (Written as a response to an article I read about Muslims complaining because they were not allowed enough "prayer breaks.")

San Diego Padres 2016

I have been a Padre fan since 1948 (Lane Field).  I hesitate to say that this is the worst Padre team I have ever seen.  It is too early for that claim.  I am a die-hard fan.  I have been with them through the valleys and through the mountain tops.  However, I must admit, there have been more valleys than mountain tops.  Many, many things are possible........including a winning season for the Padres.  Lets go Padres....lets go....you can do the job!  Go Padres!

"The Greatness Of America" A. Detocqueville

I am very interested in the writings of Alexis de Tocqueville. The following is just a portion of one of my favorite writings of his.  I am sure I will be quoting and writing some more about him.  RD

"I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.

The safeguard of morality is religion, and morality is the best security of law as well as the surest pledge of freedom."

"The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other."

"Christianity is the companion of liberty in all its conflicts-the cradle of its infancy, and the divine source of its claims."