I am basically conservative though more so fiscally than socially.
I believe in the dignity and value of work, whether it be digging ditches or working on a cure for cancer.
I was brought up to believe that charity begins in the home and that I should never accept the charity of others until all other avenues had been exhausted and without a plan to repay it.
I learned from my parents and grandparents that respect for others is an essential component of a civilized society.
I believe that the single defining feature of the American Society which has set it apart from all others is the level of individual freedom and, in particular, freedom from government intrusion and control, with which we are blessed. It is not our education system (now ranked near the bottom of developed nations). It is not our rule of law (many others have it). It is, in my opinion, the amazing innovations and efforts of people who can do their thing without (or in spite of) much interference from their government.
I think that every time we ask our government to do something for us we are ceding some of our freedom. For this reason, I believe in far less government than we currently have.
I am convinced that with every freedom comes responsibility.
To maintain our freedoms, we must cede certain smaller freedoms to our government to allow it to do one of the few things we probably cannot do privately, protect ourselves from enemies to our society.
I think the Constitution of the United States was a brilliant work that has served as an excellent guide for our governmental activity for over 200 years. I believe it is still valid and useful today. It is not a document that should be subject to change depending on the views of those in power.
I can appreciate that many people are single issue voters. Personally, I look at a much broader perspective. I see our current national debate as the argument between “fair” and “free” and between change and more of the same. What the definition of “fair” is depends of the position of the definer. A socialist feels it is fair to take from the rich to give to the poor. A capitalist feels it is fair to reward a person for his results. My definition of freedom is the ability to swing my arms as much as I want, up to the point of the other guy’s nose.
The purpose of this blog is to reflect, in public, about the state of our Union. I hope to ask more questions than I answer. I hope to show an open mind. I will attempt to assume nothing without mentioning that assumption. I will attempt to check the facts of anything I pass on but will often ask you to do that for me, in which case I will state I have not checked and would appreciate any links to organic documents that can confirm or deny anything that I post.
I hope to be humble but that is a tall task when you have a wonderful wife, two great sons, two beautiful and brilliant daughters-in-law, and five granddaughters who defy my ability to use sufficient superlatives.
I hope you will read with interest, comment often, straighten me out when needed, and help promote civilized debate.
I am the original baby boomer having been born 9 months to the day after Hiroshima. I lead the life of most people’s dreams in that I am surrounded by the best friends and family a person could choose and have the health to enjoy the happiness that comes from doing what I want and doing it well (I hope).
For those who care, I was born in California, went to high school in Hawaii, graduated from the U.S.Air Force Academy and worked in manufacturing for over 40 years. I currently live in Oregon where I am now retired (from both manufacturing and growing wine grapes and olives) and, with my wife am planning our next great adventure, a move to the Bitterroot Valley in Montana. When time allows I love to read, travel and flyfish for trout.
10 comments
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September 28, 2008 at 11:58 am
Enoch Callaway
First: we are at the end of a cycle of Conservative excess, and we need to let liberals to screw things up their way fro a while.
Second; McCain is a card-carrying Republican, for all his claims of being a maverick. He is a believer in trickle down economics, deregulation, less government intrusion into business decisions, and more into personal decisions. His articles of faith have been pushed past the breaking point.
Third; I will fight to protect the privilege of intolerant fundamentalists (of all sorts) to believe what they choose, but they must be kept away from power. We have seen repeatedly that whey they win an election, that is the last open election.
Fourth; Obama is very bright. That is not a sin in my book.
Finally, a good liberal is a conservative who takes the long view. It will take a while for liberal excesses to screw things up as much as they are screwed up now.
September 28, 2008 at 4:04 pm
ttoes
Enoch,
I thought you were commenting to the Why Mr. Obama? post when I read this. If that is where you want it, please post the comment again under that post and I will get it placed there and erase this one.
Tried to email you but it kicked back – must be the spam filter.
Tom
January 28, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Is the Bailout Bill a Disaster? « Responsibility-Freedom Demands It
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June 12, 2009 at 5:30 pm
publius772000
Good posts, solid values. You have been added to my blogroll 😀
September 18, 2009 at 8:37 am
Fair or Free? « Responsibility-Freedom Demands It
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February 15, 2010 at 11:51 am
Jim Wixson
Tom, didn’t think i would add any new blogs to my list, but changed my mind when i saw yours. Jim
March 2, 2010 at 7:44 am
Most Popular Post and a Census Video « Responsibility-Freedom Demands It
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April 20, 2011 at 7:12 am
Jim Wixson
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 – concerning our Press and its journalists – our Thoughtmasters: Tonight I watched Frontline, a documentary named “The Silence,” on the systematic and long-prevailing practice of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy of native Alaskans – and the incredible, willful blindness of its Bishop, tho he appears not to have engaged in it himself.
The unasked questions scream: why did the church do nothing? How could such a widespread, well-known scandal have been a secret, and how could it have been allowed to continue – who knew what and when? This was certainly not condoned byt the American Catholic Church – but what has it concluded?
But my central point has not to do with this tragedy, but with the lessons of it, as reported to us by our journalists: i do not see any learning anywhere! The stupidity of the Church then is matched by the stupidity of our journalists now, and nothing has fundamentally changed, except that many lawyers have profited by the misery of a host of broken lives. But we still do not know how this could have happened, or what is to prevent some similar future horror. There is no clamor for our press to go back and finish the story! Are we stupid, too?
February 10, 2012 at 9:27 am
Dottie
I read your blog about Indulgent Parents. Nice write-up. I just love John Rosemond. John Rosemond said; “to be good parents and prepare children for the real world all that was needed was to give children discipline, and love, and reasons to respect others.” I believe today’s dilemma is worse than that. Before you can “prepare children for the real world” doing so must be your ultimate goal. Today’s parenting goals are to make sure children have good self esteem. What crap!
Growing up I was told that if somebody bullied me it was because they had low self-esteem. This too is crap! Today they are called sociopaths. I was taught to walk away from a fight if at all possible. And/or report it to a parent or teacher (which usually made it worse). I found that if someone persistently picks on you, the best way to stop it is to give them a good ol’ fashion’ ass-whoopin’. That’s called self-defense.
February 28, 2012 at 7:24 am
ttoes
@ Dottie,
Sorry to take so long to respond, Dottie. You are completely right. We are feeding, not just our kids, but all who will listen a ration of poop. I find it hard to believe that parents are so gullible or lazy that they actually think pampering a child will make him or her tough enough to live in a real world. Of course, one might say that I am pretty gullible to think there is a “real world.” Looking at Washington, D.C., I have to wonder myself, sometimes.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Tom