Typical family in Alabama....

It is a typical Saturday at our house.  A trip to drop of items for a fund raiser yard sale for our youngest daughter's cheerleading squad.  Perhaps a little work @ the sale - but not me for sure.  By 8, an hour drive to ice skating practice and fitting for new skates.  Later today, we go and pick up our oldest daughter who just spent 4 days and 3 nights at preteen Church camp.  I still gotta trim back some bushes, a few clothes need washing and of course at least one of our pets will need some sort of attention today.  We will go to Church Sunday and this month we will serve as sub teachers for the 1st and 2nd grade girls' Sunday School class.  All pretty typical stuff for a family with active children I suppose.  The truth is our family may not be that typical.

Yesterday on a talk radio show, I took to task the commentator on  the premise of an article that stated over 47% of American households do not pay any Federal Income Tax.  In the thoughts of most Alabama folks who think about such things, that is almost as bad as not having an allegiance to either Alabama or Auburn football.  It is just "not done 'round here".  Fact is though, a great many folks in Alabama do not pay many taxes either.  I do not know the percentage really - most folks just haven't filled out my request for their information and sent it back to me in the self-addressed stamped envelope I provided them.  I would guess though, Alabama is about average - maybe a little more even.  The real issue is why?  My thoughts to this so called "knower of economics" talk show host was "Matt, it is an income issue not a tax issue.  If folks do not pay taxes then the income is too low."  He would not hold me over through the break - but this was my final thoughts off the air:  " Unless of course Matt, you think we should RAISE taxes on those making that little.  I have been listening to your show for a while now - better than the comedy channel most days.  You are now an advocate for higher taxes on almost HALF of the American households? "

Truth is, most likely the 47% is NOT true - regardless of the source.  Do some people not pay - sure.  Do some people  pay a lot - sure.  Are most people happy about taxes - NO.  Should they be happy - Perhaps.  I do not want to go into an accounting lesson, an economics debrief, a stat course or any other academic endeavor.  Mainly because most folks live in a sound bite world and an in-depth understanding of a subject matter is just too time consuming - that is why Twitter is so popular - short and without actual words....

So our family just moves on typically, does the normal stuff most families do and does NOT concern ourselves with how those who pay less or no taxes "go on about their lives.”  So does that make us atypical?  I don't know - but probably.  What makes me atypical is I just wonder why so many people who always post status updates about "counting one's blessings" don't do just that and quit worrying about those who PAY less.  Maybe I am just old now and almost 50 years of thinking has taught me "you just can't fix ignorance no matter how smart people think they are"..or so someone Tweeted me...

American Parents -- no longer like apple pie and that's ok for most - NOT ME

A week goes by again.  Seems they now go by faster than the weeks went by when I was younger.  I know that is not true - but it seems that way.  While @ first glance this was just another week. In my world it was filled with camps and spend the nights for the girls, beginning of cheerleading for the little one and for the big one - merely trying to find time to get her to meet with the dude that will teach her to play guitar.  All of that seems fairly typical of a parent's life - I suppose I am no different - except I am an older parent.  The thought of being a parent ran through my mind all week.

On many occasions this past week I took exception and mostly likely was the exception in two decisions our great Nation's judicial system made.  In the trial of Ms. Anthony,  the Court did what it was suppose to under the law of our land.  In the execution of the Mexican national in Texas, the Court did NOT do what it was suppose to under the law of our land.  My opinions are not popular around these parts.  I have gotten a few terse looks when I say my piece.  Gotten quite a few nasty little e-mails. Even a few - our laws did not work - but God's justice will!!!! Of course, I got the proverbial question of "What if it were one of your daughters, huh, huh?"  I will answer that now - I will give the answer most parents should - but will not.  My answer is simply "I do not know".  Actually, no one knows - unless of course a parent has experienced just those situations. I do know NO court will bring back the child.  Any questions on that?  Punishment is not justice - may make you feel better - but justice?  Should criminals be locked up for our protection?  YES!  But justice?  The child is dead - justice will NEVER happen... I will flip the question "How do you know how you would feel if Ms. Anthony were your daughter or the Mexican national were your son?"  Again - my response would be "I don't know."  You may think you know - perhaps you do --but doubtful.

Since I do not have to be subjective, I can be more objective.  Which I think I am and public opinion is not.  I have been wrong before - at least emotionally, rarely factually.  These cases this week sparked enormous emotional outcry for the despicable acts.   Rightfully so, I suppose.  I concur deeply,  the crimes were heinous and horrific.  I cannot begin to imagine the torment to which the victims went through.  The horrors each endured were beyond what I can comprehend.  I love a good fight - I find it thrilling, stimulating and VERY satisfying.  The young man in Texas would  have a tough time kicking my butt.   As for Ms. Anthony, I would never raise my hand to a woman - for any reason.  I do know a couple of women that might have a shot @ whipping me - so I am sure either of them could break that party girl to pieces.  Thankfully, that is not how our Country works.  Some wish it were - I for one am glad most times it is not. 

We are a land of laws - been that way for many years.  You remember that piece of paper some of my more conservative friends wave around when it is convenient.  It is called the Constitution.  Most have never read it.   My liberal friends wave it too - they say it is a living and breathing document.  Most of them have not read it either.  Either way it is the law.  As are the laws that follow based on the supreme law of our land. These laws @ the very core of our Country are listed and defined as personal protection(s).  In a republic or a democracy - these must be followed or that same entity has fallen to the depths of what many of us consider ill advised forms of government. 

Ms. Anthony was found not guilty.  That does not mean she is innocent.  It does mean under our law - the system provided due process - just as our laws state the system should.  Kind of like the pursuit of happiness in the Declaration of Independence, no guarantee of the outcome - only the guarantee of the chance.  The Mexican national committed a terrible crime, was found guilty and was put to death.  Sounds just.  Unless you consider we signed an international agreement to NOT do just that.  We cannot and should not choose which laws to obey and which ones to not obey - based merely on how we FEEL.  I do not like the new Alabama law on immigration, but when it goes into effect - I will follow it - until we can get it changed - if we can.

I am a different kind of liberal I suppose.  I believe in the laws we make.  I believe in our government.  I believe in individual rights. I do not believe in mob mentality.  I do not believe that the majority should rule at the expense of the minority.  I do believe in my Country - but some of the people in it right now?  I "dunnoknow", seems some of them have lost the thought of what it means to be an American - to be above the passions of the times .  We must, as Americans, let human rights for which we make laws while dispassionate,  rule our sensibilities when our insensitive passions flare.  Maybe I am wrong, but I have had these thoughts for almost 50 years now.  At least I am consistent.  In the end true beliefs usually are.....or so my fellow Christian friends say.

Never preach Christmas @ Easter and other rules

Why is that?  What would it hurt?  Oh yeah, timing - the level of expectation.  The older I get,  the more I realize that often today's youth idea on expectation is really not far from the folks I see and interact with everyday.  People have just come to expect that certain things are done certain ways  and at certain times and that is just the way it is.  ANY , and I mean ANY, variances and well - you know what will happen - Anarchy....

For those that know me - you all know that I laugh hard at that notion.  What is conventional to me - for the most part - is what I don't do or believe.  Ok - in fairness I believe that children should pick up after themselves.  Mine don't - but I still believe they should....Nonetheless, convention is for the folks from The Handmaid's Tale.   If you know the story - then you realize those in power there actually do not believe it either.

I almost never wear jeans to work - but I almost always wear jeans to Church.  I am a firm believer in equal rights for women - so if you are female - that door opens just fine if you push or pull on it.  If you are not one that believes in my religion - you are safe - I will NEVER preach @ you - just watch me if you want - I turned out ok - you may want to follow.  I am a true believer in my political slant - many disagree - but they are not sure why or what they don't like - but they don't - I could not smile more - most have given up discussing it with me - I smile even more....  I suppose I have always been that way - something to which I am VERY proud. 

As I was working on the never ending project of cleaning out my basement -( many of you have the same project I am sure) - I ran across - what I suppose was my FIRST blog - although then it was merely a letter to the editor of my hometown newspaper - The Gadsden Times.  I directed the letter  toward the Superintendent of Education and others  in the academic admin of Etowah County.  The topic was corporal punishment in schools.  They were for it and I was against it - still am.  It was a hot topic in 1979 - still is.  I wrote that letter @ 17 years old - it got published - right there in the paper for God and everyone to see/read.  I was pretty happy!  Now I read it and say - WOW!  Not a dangling participle in the whole letter - nowadays my participle dangles when I am tired - life happens I suppose...

Yep - I have most always gone against convention.  I was asked recently how I can live with myself - with all of my more "leftist" views.  I just smile and say "I have a million or so reasons why - a lot of them in cash"   I see that line of thought  merely  the same as people wanting  Christmas preached only @ Christmas  - never Easter.  In other words - have the dream - just make sure you don't do anything odd or different or Hell will find you.  Maybe.... - but one reason to preach Christmas @ Easter is that Christ was more likely born in late Spring or Summer anyway - so perhaps I am not so unconventional after all. Or so go my thoughts from almost 50 years now....Here's to different! For no one thinks as a child "Man, when I grow up I want to be average and just like everyone else".  Live your dream - wacked or not!  :)