"We like war.  We like war because we are good at it." - comedian George Carlin.

So I keep hearing fiery speeches from potential GOP presidential contenders that we need to deploy ground troops in the middle east in order to stop ISIL/ISIS.  Me? I'm not convinced.  I guess that doesn't make me a conservative or conservative enough.  Which begs the question?  What am I?

While ISIL/ISIS has perpetrated some horrible, disgusting and just plain evil acts against Christians and others, are those acts enough to warrant war?   

Let's say for instance that we go to war against ISIL/ISIS. There will be flag waving chants of "USA! USA!".  We will watch the war from our cozy living rooms and then flip the channel to the Food Network when we get tired of seeing bombs destroy huts. Our superior military might will crush the militants and extremists and we will surely cripple them and their network of terror. Then what?  In all likelihood, we would need to establish an American foothold in the middle east, which constitutes more troops, bases and money, which means more borrowing.  How long would we need to stay? 5 years? 10 years? 30?  Are you prepared to pay for a US presence for generations to come?

It's time we focus our attention to the United States and our problems for a change, such as:

• massive federal debt
• manufacturing leaving the country
• obtrusive government intrusion in our lives
• governments collection of data on it citizens
• helping people get off welfare by increasing their self esteem
• finding common ground on domestic issues
• reduction in taxes that snarls innovation and job creation
• refocus our attention to helping small businesses 

I lead off this post with a quote from George Carlin.  Instead of the good 'ole USA being know as a country being good at war, how about we be known as a country who solves its own problems first before trying to police the world.  For the record, I am in favor of arming the Kurds in the area to stop ISIL/ISIS as they have demonstrated the ability and wherewithal to fighting them. Please do not misunderstand me. I do believe in a strong defense and support any effort when we are attacked on our soil or against our interests overseas.  But I am not willing to commit our sons and daughters to fighting a group of radicals on foreign lands.

Given this post, I am not sure what I am.  Am I a true conservative? A libertarian?  A true liberal? Maybe I am just a citizen of the US that is more concerned with the welfare of Americans within our borders.

Sorry for this post on a Saturday morning.  I just can't take the rhetoric anymore from Washington on both sides.

How often have you passed someone on the street or in a store and they say, "Hi, how are you?"  And, before you can even respond with a simple, "I'm fine", that person says, "Great! Good to see you" as they continue on their hurried, merry way.  They care about you, only in a superficial way.

Sometimes, whenever this situation presents itself, I will respond by saying, "Thanks for asking. Well, I just lost my job and my wife is sick".  I do this to 1) see if the person heard me and 2) to see if the person truly wanted to know how I am doing. Very rarely does a person stop and sincerely ask me for further details.  In short, while they would have heard me say that I lost my job, they didn't listen to what I actually said. There is a huge difference between hearing and listening, especially when engaging in conversations.

Issue and problem solving begins when we act like adults and hold meaningful conversations with each other, even with those who we are supposed to hate and disagree with.  Meaningful conversations begin by listening and not hearing. Unfortunately, both political parties talk first and listen second, which leads to name calling and stalemates. Take the gay marriage issue. If both sides agreed that all governments (state, federal & local) should get out of the marriage business, the argument would end. With no government involvement, wouldn't everyone be free and equal to do as they please regarding marriage? However, if the argument ends, there would be no more fighting.  There would be no more money needed fight to opposition. With no money and no power, there is nothing to fight for.  So therefore, the issue has to keep going in order to sustain the two opposing sides.  Thus, we have created a situation where people hear and not listen.  If they'd listen and try to understand the other parties' position, they would be more apt to try and solve the issue. We must elect those people who will listen first to their constituents and talk second to their peers and opponents in government. It's time that our representatives start listening first and talking second.  

Moreover, as Christians, we must first listen to our fellow brothers and sisters who we may not agree with. Listening builds relationships, which are paramount.  After the relationship is built based upon mutual trust, then we will be able to talk with honesty, compassion and authenticity, three traits that seem to be missing today everywhere from Washington to churches to our neighborhoods.

So how do we return this nation and culture to sound principles: 

• One conversation at a time.
  
• And one election at a time.

Listen First. Talk Second. Because talking first drowns out any listening.


BELEIVE.ACT.SERVE

This post begins a regular feature.  Each Tuesday, I will post 10 random thoughts on just about any topic.

1. It was minus 4 degrees when I drove my girls to school today -- I blame no one but Punx. Phil.
2. I watched 6 minutes of the red carpet on Sunday and zero minutes of the Oscar's.  I have little to no issues with Hollywood so don't read anything into that decision. I chose to read instead. 
3. I will be heading to the theaters in mid-March to see the latest Disney movie about Cinderella.  Yes, I am a Disney-lover.
4. Titus 3:1,2 - "Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men."
5. Spring Training in Florida and Arizona is underway -- I love this time of year.
6. Yes, I will be getting the Apple Watch.
7. For the record, I have never been to a war zone or reported from one...see Brian Williams, Bill O'Reilly
8. One of the books I am reading now is called "Iron Horses: America's Race to Bring the Railroad's West."  Exciting, huh?
9. My top five choices for President in '16 - as of today: Walker, Paul, Pence, Perry, Cruz
10. "The Secret to Talking is Listening" will be the title of my post coming out on Thursday.

Believe.Act.Serve.  The Future is Now.

I want to use today's post to remind everyone how distant our representatives have gotten from their constituencies. 

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 33 of 2015 was introduced on January 14, 2015 and referred to the Senate Education Committee.  If enacted, the bill is "requiring institutions of higher education to provide health insurance coverage, athletic scholarships and life skills workshops to student athletes; and providing for collective bargaining rights and publicity rights for student athletes."  As written, the bill, only affecting the Universities of Temple, Pittsburgh and Penn State for now, would allow student athletes in those Universities to unionize.  Essentially the sponsor and co-sponsors of the bill have had enough with the exploitation of college athletes in that - they believe - these Universities make millions of dollars off of them.

Not to be outdone, this same Senate recently voted 30-19 to pass a proposed constitutional amendment that " would allow the legislature to establish the uniform standard and qualifications for criteria to determine the tax-exempt status of non-profit organizations" and not the Courts.  

During last fall's election, I can't remember candidates talking about these two pressing issues.  Can you?

Here are some issues that seem more pressing, at least to me (in no particular order):

• Education Funding
  
• Budget Deficit
• Transportation Infrastructure Deficiencies 
  
• Public Pensions
  
• Minimum Wage
  
• Sale of Liquor Stores

Why do so many politicians talk the talk during the election, but don't walk the walk when it comes to meeting issues head on?  I guess they do, however, because they do decide which issues are pressing -- to them.  

Obviously, the state senate believes who determines a tax exemption for charities and allowing the unionization of college football players is more important than giving me a break on my taxes or fixing bridges.  In other words, "sit down Tim and be a good little citizen -- we know what is best for you."

It's senate bills like these that are re-energenzing me to the path I abandoned last summer.