This is a recent quoted article from the news online addition of "Slate".
China Won't Be Pressured To Reform Currency
The 47-nation nuclear summit taking place in Washington, D.C., provided President Obama with an opportunity to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao for the first time since "Sino-U.S. tensions over the yuan threatened to escalate into a serious trade dispute," Reuters reported. They didn't talk much about China's currency: Obama was focused on the subject of nuclear weapons and winning China's support for tougher sanctions against Iran. But Hu made it clear that "China would not be pushed by external pressure and would instead base any decision on the yuan on its own economic needs," Reuters reported. "But he also made clear that Beijing was committed to change." Obama wants China to "move toward a more market-oriented exchange rate," declaring it necessary for sustained global recovery; the yuan's exchange rate against the dollar has been frozen for nearly two years. "China will firmly stick to a path of reforming the yuan's exchange rate formation mechanism," Hu told Obama. "In making reforms, we will give careful consideration to global economic developments and changes, as well as to China's economic condition."
Now my commentary....
Apparently, the President never read "Unlimited Warfare" which I wrote about previously on this Blog. See my blog article entitled, "The Chinese Philosophy of Warfare" dated Friday, July 6, 2007.
Americans, were suckered right into being powered over by China.
First, the Chinese understood greed and materialism. Communism is based on greed and materialism for the elite, and poverty for those who are subjected to it.
Since clear back in the Nixon era we called them the "Most Favored Trade Nation". Why because they were more than glad to ship us their goods produced by an enslaved labor force. When individuals are paid 25 cents an hour, this makes for very great profit for a manufacturer of goods that Americans want.
Then along came the new Walmart who proved if you buy the goods, you could market and sell their goods with a 200% mark up, and make lots of money, and still provide cheap to Americans. They could buy the goods for less than an American manufacturer, could provide them to Walmart for. for they had to pay higher wages or at least wages that were far more than the TWENTY FIVE CENT AN HOUR SLAVE LABOR in China . So, America got what it wanted - "cheap", but in their greed to buy more, and pay less, they never thought for one minute they were buying into a plan that would absolutely destroy the economy of this nation. This would produce the greatest mass move of American manufacturers out of here to foreign countries especially to China, and why wouldn't they do just that?
The American businessman lost their sense of goodness and loyalty, to the bigger profit line over those devoted daily to work for them, a long time ago.
Most American companies like "one well known one, I once worked for", even refer to their employees, as "Capital Assets".
"Capital Assets", can diminish in worth over the years, and thus they depreciate like all capital and in most cases are unappreciated, until they can be replaced with a new capital asset.
Capital assets is something you use to obtain even greater profits.
They are nothing but mere chattel. This is what the American worker became and is today, only good enough for awhile until they can replace you with something new, after awhile it becomes a turnstile of old capital asset out the door, for new captial assets in the door, back to the same cycle of events time after time.
It's the inherited nature of man to seek more power when they have power over others. The Bible calls it the "Sin Nature". The Lust of the Eye, The Lust of the Flesh and the PRIDE OF LIFE!
The love of the WORLD!
American businessman sacrificed all the care of people and their own country to gain more monetary wealth for themselves, no more than anyone else has done in history whenever the opportunity presented itself.
There are a few, and very few businessman, who stayed the course of people over their own personal comfort, and are suffering for it. They are being forced into becoming part of the game, by those holding the power over them, they too were suckered into loose credit, never thinking that things may never stay the same, they spent like wildfire, when they should have been saving. Profitibility can be effected in a large downturn of the economy. This is largely caused by poor government rules and regulations. All that loose credit, resulted in big spending. The one day everyone woke up and it was time to pay the piper his due, now, not while you had money, no why you are broke, they want it back now!
Why, because without it, the whole thing falls apart. The banks fail, the country goes down the tubes. So since we can't collect it, perhaps we turn to government solutions which caused the whole problem in the first place. Perhaps the very one's that were responsible for not putting the right measures out there in the first place, called curtailing credit and making sure credit was extended only in a sensible manner rather than to just anyone at anytime, regardless of their ability to pay it back. This is why I don't believe in credit. It is like declaring yourself God, that you know what tommorrow holds. Jesus stated it very clearly and the Bible tells us, we don't know when we shall die. Now we call on the government who is there supposedly to limit man's sin nature somewhat, we say to them - now fix it. What people don't understand, the government doesn't have any money of their own, that has worth, you do! Government can print money, but only the market determines it's worth. Globalism destroyed the American dollar!
So, taxes are the solution after the big give aways, and now we all face the burden, American business and American worker. Whoops somebody messed up somewhere, could it be that men did, we did just, of course, that's the case.
We Americans did, though it was a great thing for awhile, we could buy all the toys and gadgets made for much less, and even more. We loved cheap, so much, because it gave us more money, to buy more junk!
We became a nation who fell in love with the idea of personal ownership of anything at whatever cost, to family, friends, even our children. Even today, the kids have cell phones, ipods, and DSi's and X boxes, Play stations, and none of these items are really cheap but it has become cheaper for us to placate our children with things than our personal time and love. We excuse ourselves, saying but it cost more to live these days. True in some sense, but not really, I have watched others, spend on themselves, for new cars, new play toys for them, and think this is life, so they offer their children the same thing. They work twice as hard, stealing twice as much time from their children and family to replace it all with useless things, that will soon turn to rust and dust and be forgotten, but the hurt of those children, there pain of not knowing a parents love, will never be forgotten and most of all good values have been replaced with very poor one's - things are more important than people! I have seen people spend 500 to 600 dollars a month just to buy themselves a new vehicle, the latest, the coolest, and yet complain they can't buy their children, health insurance. I can assure you they could have for a lot less. I still drive my 1996 Dodge Truck, that I paid cash for. I don't want to feel the credit crunch. I made the mistake buying a motorcycle on the credit give away, and I regret it to this day, it has been an albatross on me, in more than one way.
I couldnt have my own phone in the house when I was growing up, and we could barely afford to have one as a family.
I had a family and we did family things together, my dad, didnt give us much in the way of things, but he taught me about love and family and God though and even today that is more important to me, than the things of this earth!
These items seemed cheap for Americans who expend all their energy to work and work more for less, to buy more and more junk, neither they need or the kids need.
The Chinese Communist were industrious, smarter than us, and they played the game of war, where war is always won- at the money table.
Wars are neither financed or paid for by patriotism or blood, they are financed and paid for by money. This then results in the blood shed of the children of the poor, while the rich enjoy watching their accomplished victories from afar with their own children safely tucked away in their golden post beds, while the poor American is deceived to think the sacrifice of his own child saved his freedom. Money affords the rich their freedom, what you have, I guarantee you paid for it, if not with the death of your own children in the riches useless wars, you pay for in taxes, and fees, constantly. There isn't much of anything free. Like my Dad always said, be careful of free, you will pay for it some how in the long run. Well we are, have and will continue to do so. Only Christ offers true freedom and its spiritual, nonetheless, freedom use to be much wider known in this country. A thing of the past.
Money drives every form of government, no matter how evil or good you may consider any particular form of government. The poor pay, which keeps them poor, and the rich spend, which keeps them rich.
Now, the game is almost over, The Chinese win - we lose!
Why? I will tell you why, because we failed to understand our enemy while they never failed in understanding us.
The only way that America can ever recover what it has lost, is to farm, manufacture and produce it's own goods again, and cut off all the junk we buy from China.
Why won't it happen? Simply, because we bought their deception and now even our own government has been decieved along with the people of this country. Thus we are now moving toward total Socialist goals in this country. All I can say, is you better buy a Rickshaw now, learn Chinese, and get used to it. Your freedoms are a thing of the past as well.
Everything they intended to do, they have done.
I think, I must quote something I remember Kruschev, the Premier of Russia said, when I was a very young child, I remember it then, because, I understood and was taught the difference between a free market and a government controlled one.
It was a school course, called Americanism versus Communism.
Now, back to what I wanted to say that I recall Kruschev saying. He said in a speech, that they the Communist would never defeat us from without, but they would win the cold war, because they would defeat us from within.
Guess what? Old Kruschev may have been a Communist, but in Biblical terms He was a true prophet, Why? He said it, and it is coming to pass. Here's a Kudo to a communist. He knew what he was talking about, which is much more than I can say for the politicians we have running this country today! They don't even know the difference between a super power and a non super power, that it's not a shame to be called one, when you are trying to protect your nations security.
I think it was Castro that turned that term into a curse word or something to be ashamed of. I'm not, afraid to be called a Super Power, it's what has kept me safe from other nations who wanted to power over us for the 57 years I have lived here now.
Shame on Washington, Shame on America! We lost touch with the simple understanding of who man is, what his problem is, and what the problem is with Big Government.
Our forefathers understood it, but to say that these days in what we have become, puts you somehow on a watch list as a threat. A threat to what? To Whom?
A threat to those who would desire nothing more than to control every aspect of our lives, even our health. Even if you aren't a violent person, to not think like the Socialist /Communist is a threat, thus Stalin and Russia sent many a "free thinker" to the Gulag or Siberia, where free thinkers disappeared to never be heard from again. This is how power stays in power, to shut off free thinking, even if no evil intentions are there. Even if you are a non-resistance person like me. They can't afford to have people who march to the sound of a different drummer. It's always been that way, Jesus turned the Pharisee's live's upside down, they couldnt afford to have the people follow him, less they lose their power, as they said, and everyone follow after Him.
Well, all I can say, is that is a shame that our own leaders have forgot who we are, what we are, and how we ever became a nation in the first place. Shame on all of us! We have forgotten what Communism is. We lose, they win.....and I hate to say it but I told you so.
I find it hard to believe that so many Americans have fallen under the deception that government can do better than the individual at fixing problems.
One nation under God, means when we find ourselves individually, giving God the glory he deserves and the attention that is rightfully His in our lives over all the money, and junk we have filled our lives up with, we might survive.
I just don't see it happening, when I stand back and look at our love for money, and all those who never realize or understand that it is the love of money, that is the root of ALL EVIL! God help us, but I believe that these old eyes are seeing the last vestiges of what once was the greatest Super Power in the world, both financially and in terms of protecting it's interest, all it's interest. That may sound selfish, and in terms of the religious liberal mind, probably so, but it is reality.
One must be strong to remain strong, this works in our spiritual lives as well. The day, you gave up reading your Bibles, for everything else in your life, the day you gave up family mealtime together, and the day you traded your life to be lived for money and things instead of your Creator, the love of others, including your own family, you lost the greatest Super Power there ever was for mankind, it is called Spiritual Power, and history has proven time after time, a spiritually weakened nation may enjoy the pleasures of sin for awhile but soon or later it catches up with them, and it all comes falling down. Look at Rome or any nation in history, American is nothing special, we too are a fallen and failing nation, and like all great empires we too will disappear as such into the annuls of history, and what tales will our great great grand children tell then while they are sitting at the feet of their Emperorer?
With love for the country I grew up in. Not perfect nor God's chosen nation, but nonetheless, it was far more perfect than the communist nations I knew about. While the children ate porridge, I had eggs and bacon. Now our children are eating worse than porridge, they are eating and being taught that Communism is good,materialism is good and everyone should have equality in having it, and the lie is told that Socialism insures that and America of the past is very very bad.
They too will pay, believe me in the greatest tax bondage to ever hit a nation in history before it finally falls under whatever God forbid rule they shall find themselves in the very near future. Hopefully, my days will have ended, and I am quite sure with the coming plans to control our outcomes in life, the new powers will see to it, that my days are few. They will control my choice of healthcare, job, education, finances, everything about my life, and as the old saying goes, whatever is of least benefit to the overall good of all, should be extinguished. Thus all of us up and coming old generation will not have our choice to live long, and enjoy our great grandchildren and their children, because someone higher up will make the decision for us, and say - "useless, let em die".
It will save the community of others a lot of money and trouble, why bother with them, send them to the Euthenasia clinic....and let us begone of them..
Holland can do it, we will too. God help us all, the road is spiraling evermore downward, and it is our sin, that has brought it upon us. We are so enthralled with ourselves, we have lost ourselves. America remains as was in some hearts in this country, and we desire nothing more than to see it return to the once great nation it was to live in. I just don't see an answer, just like Israel of old, when you get so far gone, it's gone, it sometimes takes captivity to make a person realize how precious freedom is. We are just beginning to start to think about it, but a little too late. The enemy is broken down the gates and the city is over run!
China will never say, "Uncle" and now you understand why. They win- we lose.
With sincere love in Christ who cares about spiritual freedom most of all,
Dr. J.
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Showing posts with label greed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label greed. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Is This The Answer For Illegal Immigration?
Most recently the news has been carrying the voice of Republican Culbertson of Texas, who believes he has found the solution to illegal immigration an old law that was written in the 1950's. He has been thanked by those law enforcement officers in the Immigration policing and local law enforcement for his stand and his support.
The question is, why hasn't it been enforced before now? Is this the answer for illegal immigration?
Here is how this 1950's law reads. It is Federal law already.
TITLE 8 > CHAPTER 12 > SUBCHAPTER II > Part VIII > § 1325Prev
Improper entry by alien (a) Improper time or place; avoidance of examination or inspection; misrepresentation and concealment of facts
Any alien who
(1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or
(2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or
(3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
(b) Improper time or place; civil penalties
Any alien who is apprehended while entering (or attempting to enter) the United States at a time or place other than as designated by immigration officers shall be subject to a civil penalty of—
(1) at least $50 and not more than $250 for each such entry (or attempted entry); or
(2) twice the amount specified in paragraph (1) in the case of an alien who has been previously subject to a civil penalty under this subsection.
Civil penalties under this subsection are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any criminal or other civil penalties that may be imposed.
(c) Marriage fraud
Any individual who knowingly enters into a marriage for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both.
(d) Immigration-related entrepreneurship fraud
Any individual who knowingly establishes a commercial enterprise for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined in accordance with title 18, or both.
---------
Of course, Culbertson's accusation at this administration and especially Michael Chertoff as the head of Homeland Security, that he has acted with dereliction of duty, can be said to be true. Culbertson has said, "they have used Homeland Security as a customer service for the foreign national". He goes as far as to say recently in an interview with CNN's Lou Dobb's, that Chertoff is catering to people like Osama Bin Laden's cousin having to stand in line to get in. He is more concerned with customer service to people like this. It is clear that the hand's off or minimal handling of immigration violations and the Bush hope for an amnesty law for illegals is the focus of all Homeland Security.
It is as most of this policies and ations of this administration a joke. The President and his cronies speak out of one side of their mouths while saying the opposite out of their other side of their mouth. As the Indian would have described- "white man speak with forked tongue." The whole misnomer of the idea of creating security for Americans while your borders are over run by illegals is a joke but a sad joke that is costing this country it's sovereignty, it's culture and it compromises our national security. Now Culbertson's discovery of this law, like most laws only enforced when beneficial to the reigning powers, is by his view the answer to immigration enforcment problems. But is this law, the catch all answer for illegal immigration if enforced as Culbertson says with "zero tolerance". Does the law in fact put a stop to illegals entering this country?
Let's examine it a bit as it reads. The first thing it says it is a crime to elude enforcement of the ICE and local enforcement people and just the fact they entered illegally makes them subject to criminal offense and imprisonment. Will this truly save the Americans money.
Who will take care of the thousands they will lock up. The American taxpayer that is who. I still think they should be processed and taken back over across the border to which ever country they came from. We already have prisons overcrowded with Mexican and other illegal gangs, and we pick up the tab to feed, clothe and bed them. Do we really need more debt so the average American can bear the tax to pay for it?
The second thing is the fine, the fine is minimal, it won't even pay for the time they are held. We the American tax payer will pick up the tab again. This to me is a typical Republican response, as it still supports the businesses in America who hire them and work them in this country and puts the expense back on our backs, the Middle Class American to pay for it all.
If I were to write the law, the illegal would be immediately turned back, this cost them lots of money, as they had to save to pay a Coyote ( the guys that smuggle them over here) and they would only have to pay to get back over again. Many times this is a lot of money. The last part of the law reads fine, but it still only criminalizes, the person who gets them over here. The real criminal is the person or company, large or small who hire these people. Why in the world do we have to give our employer, our ID's to put on file, if these laws aren't already enforced. Let law enforcement local, state and federal, go to each business and verify, the citizenship of their employees, as the papers that are kept by them on us, is supposedly for this purpose, Let the IRS, step up investigating these employers for paying wages under the table. Then fine them and enforce the criminal penalties on the person that is responsible for this invasion- the employers in their greed to get rich who would rather pay an illegal, under the table, then an employee and collect taxes for doing so. It surely benefits them most as it increases their profits and creates a demand for illegals. Where there is a demand their is going to come a supply. First rule of economics!
Oklahoma's governor has lead the way. He has made it very bad to be working illegals, or to be an illegal in his state. It is about time, that the States exercise their rights over a insane federal government for far too long has done nothing but create meaningless laws, taking our money in taxes, wasted our money, and do nothing to really fix the problems of this country but to create news ones. The beginnings of a small revolution is beginning to start in this country, a revolution to return to the purposes of the Constitution along with the Bill of Rights, to take back States rights to fix what the Washingtonians sit back, spend our money, and do nothing about but blow the proverbial smoke up our backsides.
It is about time, that we and every state in this "union", exercises their voices, their strength, and their resolve to fix what the fat cats in Congress, the Legislator and the Whitehouse, do not have the gonads to do.
I am glad that Culbertson is speaking out, at least one Republican is admitting this administration Republican is a joke.I am glad that he is helping a State (Texas) to exerise laws already on the books. I just don't think it is the final solution and I don't think you will find a Republican or a Democrat willing to enact a law, as I have prescribed to punish severly the businesses who have created this demand. The illegals are only coming over still, because employer's invite them with their willingness to hire them. Get rid of the demand, the supply will trickle to a few. At least Culbertson is doing something, and I for one applaud his efforts. Let's just focus where the real problem is GREEDY EMPLOYERS. Let's get tougher on the cause rather than just people who are many cases looking to make more than a 3rd world living. The problem is their taking our jobs is forcing American citizens to make a 3rd world job as well, along with the wages of poorer countries. Don't tell me we aren't willing to work. I work part-time in a nursing home doing housekeeping and a second job for a company that sells a specialized rain gutter product as Direct Marketer and a Assignment and Scheduling Specialist. I work 11 hours a day, 4 days a week and still can't make it and I have a college degree. I pay additional taxes to the IRS and all my past due as well. It doesn't leave much to live on when wages have been driven to the bottom because of the illegals in this country and outsourcing of manufacturing, technical and everything else, to other countries, and our insistence to do business with China and it's subsidiaries like Walmart.
Greed is a sin that hurts not just the few that are deprived but in the long run hurts everyone. Stop American businessman greed.
Dr. J.
The question is, why hasn't it been enforced before now? Is this the answer for illegal immigration?
Here is how this 1950's law reads. It is Federal law already.
TITLE 8 > CHAPTER 12 > SUBCHAPTER II > Part VIII > § 1325Prev
Improper entry by alien (a) Improper time or place; avoidance of examination or inspection; misrepresentation and concealment of facts
Any alien who
(1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or
(2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or
(3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
(b) Improper time or place; civil penalties
Any alien who is apprehended while entering (or attempting to enter) the United States at a time or place other than as designated by immigration officers shall be subject to a civil penalty of—
(1) at least $50 and not more than $250 for each such entry (or attempted entry); or
(2) twice the amount specified in paragraph (1) in the case of an alien who has been previously subject to a civil penalty under this subsection.
Civil penalties under this subsection are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any criminal or other civil penalties that may be imposed.
(c) Marriage fraud
Any individual who knowingly enters into a marriage for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both.
(d) Immigration-related entrepreneurship fraud
Any individual who knowingly establishes a commercial enterprise for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined in accordance with title 18, or both.
---------
Of course, Culbertson's accusation at this administration and especially Michael Chertoff as the head of Homeland Security, that he has acted with dereliction of duty, can be said to be true. Culbertson has said, "they have used Homeland Security as a customer service for the foreign national". He goes as far as to say recently in an interview with CNN's Lou Dobb's, that Chertoff is catering to people like Osama Bin Laden's cousin having to stand in line to get in. He is more concerned with customer service to people like this. It is clear that the hand's off or minimal handling of immigration violations and the Bush hope for an amnesty law for illegals is the focus of all Homeland Security.
It is as most of this policies and ations of this administration a joke. The President and his cronies speak out of one side of their mouths while saying the opposite out of their other side of their mouth. As the Indian would have described- "white man speak with forked tongue." The whole misnomer of the idea of creating security for Americans while your borders are over run by illegals is a joke but a sad joke that is costing this country it's sovereignty, it's culture and it compromises our national security. Now Culbertson's discovery of this law, like most laws only enforced when beneficial to the reigning powers, is by his view the answer to immigration enforcment problems. But is this law, the catch all answer for illegal immigration if enforced as Culbertson says with "zero tolerance". Does the law in fact put a stop to illegals entering this country?
Let's examine it a bit as it reads. The first thing it says it is a crime to elude enforcement of the ICE and local enforcement people and just the fact they entered illegally makes them subject to criminal offense and imprisonment. Will this truly save the Americans money.
Who will take care of the thousands they will lock up. The American taxpayer that is who. I still think they should be processed and taken back over across the border to which ever country they came from. We already have prisons overcrowded with Mexican and other illegal gangs, and we pick up the tab to feed, clothe and bed them. Do we really need more debt so the average American can bear the tax to pay for it?
The second thing is the fine, the fine is minimal, it won't even pay for the time they are held. We the American tax payer will pick up the tab again. This to me is a typical Republican response, as it still supports the businesses in America who hire them and work them in this country and puts the expense back on our backs, the Middle Class American to pay for it all.
If I were to write the law, the illegal would be immediately turned back, this cost them lots of money, as they had to save to pay a Coyote ( the guys that smuggle them over here) and they would only have to pay to get back over again. Many times this is a lot of money. The last part of the law reads fine, but it still only criminalizes, the person who gets them over here. The real criminal is the person or company, large or small who hire these people. Why in the world do we have to give our employer, our ID's to put on file, if these laws aren't already enforced. Let law enforcement local, state and federal, go to each business and verify, the citizenship of their employees, as the papers that are kept by them on us, is supposedly for this purpose, Let the IRS, step up investigating these employers for paying wages under the table. Then fine them and enforce the criminal penalties on the person that is responsible for this invasion- the employers in their greed to get rich who would rather pay an illegal, under the table, then an employee and collect taxes for doing so. It surely benefits them most as it increases their profits and creates a demand for illegals. Where there is a demand their is going to come a supply. First rule of economics!
Oklahoma's governor has lead the way. He has made it very bad to be working illegals, or to be an illegal in his state. It is about time, that the States exercise their rights over a insane federal government for far too long has done nothing but create meaningless laws, taking our money in taxes, wasted our money, and do nothing to really fix the problems of this country but to create news ones. The beginnings of a small revolution is beginning to start in this country, a revolution to return to the purposes of the Constitution along with the Bill of Rights, to take back States rights to fix what the Washingtonians sit back, spend our money, and do nothing about but blow the proverbial smoke up our backsides.
It is about time, that we and every state in this "union", exercises their voices, their strength, and their resolve to fix what the fat cats in Congress, the Legislator and the Whitehouse, do not have the gonads to do.
I am glad that Culbertson is speaking out, at least one Republican is admitting this administration Republican is a joke.I am glad that he is helping a State (Texas) to exerise laws already on the books. I just don't think it is the final solution and I don't think you will find a Republican or a Democrat willing to enact a law, as I have prescribed to punish severly the businesses who have created this demand. The illegals are only coming over still, because employer's invite them with their willingness to hire them. Get rid of the demand, the supply will trickle to a few. At least Culbertson is doing something, and I for one applaud his efforts. Let's just focus where the real problem is GREEDY EMPLOYERS. Let's get tougher on the cause rather than just people who are many cases looking to make more than a 3rd world living. The problem is their taking our jobs is forcing American citizens to make a 3rd world job as well, along with the wages of poorer countries. Don't tell me we aren't willing to work. I work part-time in a nursing home doing housekeeping and a second job for a company that sells a specialized rain gutter product as Direct Marketer and a Assignment and Scheduling Specialist. I work 11 hours a day, 4 days a week and still can't make it and I have a college degree. I pay additional taxes to the IRS and all my past due as well. It doesn't leave much to live on when wages have been driven to the bottom because of the illegals in this country and outsourcing of manufacturing, technical and everything else, to other countries, and our insistence to do business with China and it's subsidiaries like Walmart.
Greed is a sin that hurts not just the few that are deprived but in the long run hurts everyone. Stop American businessman greed.
Dr. J.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Are We Fighting The Right Battles?
This past week, I had Satan use another attack on myself, with the oppression of income taxes. Since, 1983, I have been in constant harassment from the IRS. They are relentless when it comes to collecting what they call past due taxes from the poor.
They rarely pursue the rich and famous, because they can keep tax collectors tied up in courts for years, with professional tax consultants, CPA's and Tax lawyers. Or as Jesse Jackson, the media hype man who owes the IRS thousands, yet they haven't harrased him a bit, they fear him for he can bring havoc through marches, and demonstrations and a lot of media attention.
This is why, IRS collection managers force their collection agents to go after the poor, to intimidate them, scare them, or whatever it takes to collect a few thousand dollars compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars that are owed by big corporations, and wealthy and media powerful individuals.
I also discovered most people are under the mis-informed ideas, that they can't collect or audit you for anything beyond 7 years. That is an outright lie as well, they can go back "by the law" I have read as far as 10 years, and they will tell you up to 15 years. So lock your records away in the basement in a safe, because you may need them to prove otherwise if you feel you paid in your taxes and they should say different.
I encountered problems not because I was dishonest about my taxes, but because many employers didn't report honestly what they took out, and then other times the IRS has said, there just wasn't enough taken out. I don't know why? I generally claimed 2 exemptions as head of the household back then, the only thing I can assume is my wife must have done the same, instead of 0 exemptions. This will definitely end up costing you in the long run. My wife is no longer here to help me pay these back taxes, she was killed in 2001 in a car accident. The money earned and what was suppose to be taxed on our combined incomes and didnt get paid falls on me alone.
I have paid in monthly payments about 24,000 dollars since about 1984, when my troules began. They claim I still owe just a little over 6,000. This time going back to 1994, I finished paying off their claim on 1993, last year.
I have made payment arrangements again, I had to, they were just about to garnish the money I earn as a "contractor" from the company I contract with. This was myonly income for over 8 months, I worked a whole 16 hours a week for them.
It is never ending, they are like gods on this earth, they answer to no one, they answer to no human consideration or compassion - it's all about the money, "their money" they call it. I still can't figure how it is their money, when I am the one that was getting out of bed in the morning, slaving all day, putting up with customers, bosses, traffic and all. Yet, somehow we have convinced our own government that they have a right to our money, we earn by the sweat of our backs, and the tiredness of mind, they have a right to steal from us, what they surely never earned. Somehow, I just don't think our forefathers ever even conceived of such robbery by taxes. I believe from my study of history they must be turning in their graves if they have any idea how easily we have swayed from the Revolution and the Boston Tea Party over to paying income taxes. They would look at us, with huge questions on their faces, why did we die? Why did we allow out blood to be spilled for you modern Americans when you have allowed everything we gave you, with our deaths so easily to be taken from you? What is wrong with you people?
That would be there question. There are few politicians today that aren't sold on the idea of the income tax. They love it as they benefit magnificently from it. While we poor suckers slave away 6 months a year, to pay all the crazy taxes combined that we have, they enjoy wanton luxury, paid trips, free gasoline, and lifetime wages in the $100,000 per year plus category.
They will never have to worry about Social Security payments in their old age, that's why they don't care about ours, they retire with their present wages until they die. It must be nice! The life they live now as elitist in luxury will go on until the day they day, because we have sanctioned theft of our money so it can be their money to spend as they please. We will never, ever again, have power as the people again, as long as their is an income tax. To even think this government is by the people, and for the people is pure ignorance. As long as we sanction their theft, then we will always be under their thumbs of power- believe it or not- this is what Communism is! So, we must live it with, but live with it, so as to not allow it to destroy our testimony and our lives.
Anyway, I was very upset with them, but I finally took the time, to pray and ask God to give me his peace about it all. That moment, came while listening to the radio, I listened to a Christian song by a group in which the words "show me how far the east is from the west, so I can know how my sin is from me".
My sin was anger with sin, I cursed at them and about them. The moment I got of fthe phone with the IRS, I yelled about them to everyone I spoke to that day, I was in the battle against flesh and blood instead of the one that Christ called us to fight. It is so easy for Satan to come along and move our thinking into the carnal (fleshly) realm when faced with oppression from people, or governments or anything that we can put a name or finger pointed to. The problem is, that we don't ask ourselves the one question we should always. Are we fighting the right battles? Of course not, when it comes to someone and our money, we generally will fight anyone for it. Why, because we aren't spiritually enriched as we should be, we are only living for our pocketbooks. I too, have been guilty of that as well, as anyone I know. It is harder on you when you have little, then when you have much. Six thousand dollars past taxes is a drop in the bucket for a man who makes a $100,000 per year, but when the poor pay, they pay dearly. This goes for the lying concept of tithing as well in the church, the whole thing being entirely not New Testament, it is easy for those who earn big money to cough up 10%, but for the poor, it may mean you don't eat or the electric doesnt get paid. Thus the wealthy control the churches and their pastors.They give plenty to get plenty - of control and power over others.Tithing is unscriptural as can be, therefore it is anti-biblical in the sense for the New Testament church. I invite anyone to read my friends book linked below at the bottom of my web site, on the subjet of tithing.
I will be glad to sit down with anyone as well, and discuss the entire subject biblically and how it doesnt pertain to the New Testament believer.
Giving is one thing, not compulsive, but cheerfully. Giving to the poor was the whole purpose of giving, this has been the one thing God has reminded his people from the beginning of. It was never meant for propping up institutions and their leaders, for the sake of gain and profit for themselves.
The one good thing is if you choose to follow the truth, of giving versus over tithing, the collectors won't garnish you wages, however depending on the denomination or cult you belong to they may ex-communicate you for doing otherwise or for you telling others to do otherwise. Since the inception of the the One Man- and the Temple, tithing has been used with the threat of hell fire, to keep people in fear to pay the tithe. In the early days of Catholicism, this was to pay indulgences, Well enforced by threat of eternal damnation if one did not. You could buy yourself time out of pergatory with your tithe, your indulgence, and even today there are millions who pay into an unholy organization their "indulgences" thinking that it will either purchase them favor with God or keep them out of hell. So fear of those in power in the church works just like fear of those in government. It will keep you down and keep the untold millions of dollars rolling in.
I was told by the IRS agent handling my tax collection, if I failed to pay monthly, garnishment would be a sure thing, next time, and quote " anything goes after that", do you hear me!
Threats and intimidations that is what we must learn to live, with. We are not to fear men, but fear God.. Yet, we so live a life of constantly being oppressed from all sides, we forget who our sustainer of life is, who is the provider of all good things, who has promised to see that we have food to eat, drink to drink and clothes to wear, if we will but seek Him first and not these things.
Jesus not only forgives us when we forget these important statements of His as found throughout His teaching us. He also gives us the power, to realize, that we need to give up our love of money, power, status, greed, lust for more, and turn to Him in all that we do and say. I want to remind myself as well as other beleivers by some scripture today what we need to know. "Hide your Word in my heart, Lord, so that I might not sin against you".
Matthew- Starting with the 6th verse of the 6th Chapter -
American Standard Version
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. 7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do:for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not therefore like unto them:for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; 18 that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret:and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.
22 The lamp of the body is the eye:if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? 26 Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? 28 And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to–day is, and to–morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow:for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Father, forgive us our lack of faith, our simple trust in you as the true King of the Kingdom which is ours through the indwelling Jesus Christ by His Spirit in union with our spirit. Renew our minds everyday Lord from the time we rise until the time we go to bed, that the only real treasure that matters is the treasures we layaway in heaven, Let us not forget for what purpose we are yours and that is that your character become a reality in us. That in everything that you revealed of yourself through your Son Jesus Christ, it is for the purpose we live now, to be changed, transformed in our mind, to realize that our battles O' Lord are not with those without, but our battles are from within, with sin, and selfishness and the flesh, this world that is so easily stirred by Satan, the god of this world, that he so seeks to keep the blind -blind. That the enemy seeks so desperately to draw us into his lie, that this on earth is final our final place. Let us not forget that we are but sojourners here, our home is in the heavenly places from which Jesus Christ the Victor has already overcome this world. We are to be of good cheer, for He overcame and so shall we, if we but trust you as King, and Lord. Teach us that our love is to be centered in you and never the money or the things this world brings to bear to kill, steal and destroy our joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. Forgive us for so easily trusting the circumstances of life that are seen, rather than you Lord who is unseen but through the living testimony of Jesus Christ- come in the flesh, to redeem us from the flesh.
Lord, teach us to love, and trust you in all our battles, that we shall reign victorious in you, forever, and that you will see to our every need, to sustain our lives, throughout eternity. Forgive me, when I fail to see that my battle is not against flesh and blood. Remind us of these words Father, when the enemy comes to seek to steal, kill and destroy.
Ephesians 6:12-18
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world–rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money, what is it, in comparison to the inheritance which is eternal that we have in Christ Jesus? Nothing, that is for sure. It is fleeting and there will never be enough for the soul who loves it, and pursues it for life. For only in Jesus is their life, eternal life, abundant life, spiritual life. I would rather be broke and poor materially and be rich in Christ and His love, anyday.
So, my message is- when the battles come, stop and reflect for but a moment- Am I Fighting the Right Battle? The answer will probably be for you as it was for me, No.
So, let us fight the right battle of faith.
Dr. J.
They rarely pursue the rich and famous, because they can keep tax collectors tied up in courts for years, with professional tax consultants, CPA's and Tax lawyers. Or as Jesse Jackson, the media hype man who owes the IRS thousands, yet they haven't harrased him a bit, they fear him for he can bring havoc through marches, and demonstrations and a lot of media attention.
This is why, IRS collection managers force their collection agents to go after the poor, to intimidate them, scare them, or whatever it takes to collect a few thousand dollars compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars that are owed by big corporations, and wealthy and media powerful individuals.
I also discovered most people are under the mis-informed ideas, that they can't collect or audit you for anything beyond 7 years. That is an outright lie as well, they can go back "by the law" I have read as far as 10 years, and they will tell you up to 15 years. So lock your records away in the basement in a safe, because you may need them to prove otherwise if you feel you paid in your taxes and they should say different.
I encountered problems not because I was dishonest about my taxes, but because many employers didn't report honestly what they took out, and then other times the IRS has said, there just wasn't enough taken out. I don't know why? I generally claimed 2 exemptions as head of the household back then, the only thing I can assume is my wife must have done the same, instead of 0 exemptions. This will definitely end up costing you in the long run. My wife is no longer here to help me pay these back taxes, she was killed in 2001 in a car accident. The money earned and what was suppose to be taxed on our combined incomes and didnt get paid falls on me alone.
I have paid in monthly payments about 24,000 dollars since about 1984, when my troules began. They claim I still owe just a little over 6,000. This time going back to 1994, I finished paying off their claim on 1993, last year.
I have made payment arrangements again, I had to, they were just about to garnish the money I earn as a "contractor" from the company I contract with. This was myonly income for over 8 months, I worked a whole 16 hours a week for them.
It is never ending, they are like gods on this earth, they answer to no one, they answer to no human consideration or compassion - it's all about the money, "their money" they call it. I still can't figure how it is their money, when I am the one that was getting out of bed in the morning, slaving all day, putting up with customers, bosses, traffic and all. Yet, somehow we have convinced our own government that they have a right to our money, we earn by the sweat of our backs, and the tiredness of mind, they have a right to steal from us, what they surely never earned. Somehow, I just don't think our forefathers ever even conceived of such robbery by taxes. I believe from my study of history they must be turning in their graves if they have any idea how easily we have swayed from the Revolution and the Boston Tea Party over to paying income taxes. They would look at us, with huge questions on their faces, why did we die? Why did we allow out blood to be spilled for you modern Americans when you have allowed everything we gave you, with our deaths so easily to be taken from you? What is wrong with you people?
That would be there question. There are few politicians today that aren't sold on the idea of the income tax. They love it as they benefit magnificently from it. While we poor suckers slave away 6 months a year, to pay all the crazy taxes combined that we have, they enjoy wanton luxury, paid trips, free gasoline, and lifetime wages in the $100,000 per year plus category.
They will never have to worry about Social Security payments in their old age, that's why they don't care about ours, they retire with their present wages until they die. It must be nice! The life they live now as elitist in luxury will go on until the day they day, because we have sanctioned theft of our money so it can be their money to spend as they please. We will never, ever again, have power as the people again, as long as their is an income tax. To even think this government is by the people, and for the people is pure ignorance. As long as we sanction their theft, then we will always be under their thumbs of power- believe it or not- this is what Communism is! So, we must live it with, but live with it, so as to not allow it to destroy our testimony and our lives.
Anyway, I was very upset with them, but I finally took the time, to pray and ask God to give me his peace about it all. That moment, came while listening to the radio, I listened to a Christian song by a group in which the words "show me how far the east is from the west, so I can know how my sin is from me".
My sin was anger with sin, I cursed at them and about them. The moment I got of fthe phone with the IRS, I yelled about them to everyone I spoke to that day, I was in the battle against flesh and blood instead of the one that Christ called us to fight. It is so easy for Satan to come along and move our thinking into the carnal (fleshly) realm when faced with oppression from people, or governments or anything that we can put a name or finger pointed to. The problem is, that we don't ask ourselves the one question we should always. Are we fighting the right battles? Of course not, when it comes to someone and our money, we generally will fight anyone for it. Why, because we aren't spiritually enriched as we should be, we are only living for our pocketbooks. I too, have been guilty of that as well, as anyone I know. It is harder on you when you have little, then when you have much. Six thousand dollars past taxes is a drop in the bucket for a man who makes a $100,000 per year, but when the poor pay, they pay dearly. This goes for the lying concept of tithing as well in the church, the whole thing being entirely not New Testament, it is easy for those who earn big money to cough up 10%, but for the poor, it may mean you don't eat or the electric doesnt get paid. Thus the wealthy control the churches and their pastors.They give plenty to get plenty - of control and power over others.Tithing is unscriptural as can be, therefore it is anti-biblical in the sense for the New Testament church. I invite anyone to read my friends book linked below at the bottom of my web site, on the subjet of tithing.
I will be glad to sit down with anyone as well, and discuss the entire subject biblically and how it doesnt pertain to the New Testament believer.
Giving is one thing, not compulsive, but cheerfully. Giving to the poor was the whole purpose of giving, this has been the one thing God has reminded his people from the beginning of. It was never meant for propping up institutions and their leaders, for the sake of gain and profit for themselves.
The one good thing is if you choose to follow the truth, of giving versus over tithing, the collectors won't garnish you wages, however depending on the denomination or cult you belong to they may ex-communicate you for doing otherwise or for you telling others to do otherwise. Since the inception of the the One Man- and the Temple, tithing has been used with the threat of hell fire, to keep people in fear to pay the tithe. In the early days of Catholicism, this was to pay indulgences, Well enforced by threat of eternal damnation if one did not. You could buy yourself time out of pergatory with your tithe, your indulgence, and even today there are millions who pay into an unholy organization their "indulgences" thinking that it will either purchase them favor with God or keep them out of hell. So fear of those in power in the church works just like fear of those in government. It will keep you down and keep the untold millions of dollars rolling in.
I was told by the IRS agent handling my tax collection, if I failed to pay monthly, garnishment would be a sure thing, next time, and quote " anything goes after that", do you hear me!
Threats and intimidations that is what we must learn to live, with. We are not to fear men, but fear God.. Yet, we so live a life of constantly being oppressed from all sides, we forget who our sustainer of life is, who is the provider of all good things, who has promised to see that we have food to eat, drink to drink and clothes to wear, if we will but seek Him first and not these things.
Jesus not only forgives us when we forget these important statements of His as found throughout His teaching us. He also gives us the power, to realize, that we need to give up our love of money, power, status, greed, lust for more, and turn to Him in all that we do and say. I want to remind myself as well as other beleivers by some scripture today what we need to know. "Hide your Word in my heart, Lord, so that I might not sin against you".
Matthew- Starting with the 6th verse of the 6th Chapter -
American Standard Version
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. 7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do:for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not therefore like unto them:for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; 18 that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret:and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.
22 The lamp of the body is the eye:if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? 26 Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? 28 And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to–day is, and to–morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow:for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Father, forgive us our lack of faith, our simple trust in you as the true King of the Kingdom which is ours through the indwelling Jesus Christ by His Spirit in union with our spirit. Renew our minds everyday Lord from the time we rise until the time we go to bed, that the only real treasure that matters is the treasures we layaway in heaven, Let us not forget for what purpose we are yours and that is that your character become a reality in us. That in everything that you revealed of yourself through your Son Jesus Christ, it is for the purpose we live now, to be changed, transformed in our mind, to realize that our battles O' Lord are not with those without, but our battles are from within, with sin, and selfishness and the flesh, this world that is so easily stirred by Satan, the god of this world, that he so seeks to keep the blind -blind. That the enemy seeks so desperately to draw us into his lie, that this on earth is final our final place. Let us not forget that we are but sojourners here, our home is in the heavenly places from which Jesus Christ the Victor has already overcome this world. We are to be of good cheer, for He overcame and so shall we, if we but trust you as King, and Lord. Teach us that our love is to be centered in you and never the money or the things this world brings to bear to kill, steal and destroy our joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. Forgive us for so easily trusting the circumstances of life that are seen, rather than you Lord who is unseen but through the living testimony of Jesus Christ- come in the flesh, to redeem us from the flesh.
Lord, teach us to love, and trust you in all our battles, that we shall reign victorious in you, forever, and that you will see to our every need, to sustain our lives, throughout eternity. Forgive me, when I fail to see that my battle is not against flesh and blood. Remind us of these words Father, when the enemy comes to seek to steal, kill and destroy.
Ephesians 6:12-18
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world–rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money, what is it, in comparison to the inheritance which is eternal that we have in Christ Jesus? Nothing, that is for sure. It is fleeting and there will never be enough for the soul who loves it, and pursues it for life. For only in Jesus is their life, eternal life, abundant life, spiritual life. I would rather be broke and poor materially and be rich in Christ and His love, anyday.
So, my message is- when the battles come, stop and reflect for but a moment- Am I Fighting the Right Battle? The answer will probably be for you as it was for me, No.
So, let us fight the right battle of faith.
Dr. J.
Monday, February 19, 2007
PTSD and The Returning Soldier
I want to write here about something I know a little something about, PTSD, otherwise known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is not psychobabble, it is a very real condition that affects 5.2 million Americans! What is it?: Here is some information by the American Medical Association.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a real illness. People may get PTSD after living through a disturbing or frightening experience. It can be treated with medicine and therapy.You can get PTSD after you have been:
Raped or sexually abused
Hit or harmed by someone in your family
A victim of a violent crime
In an airplane or car crash
In a hurricane, tornado, or fire
In a war,
In an event where you thought you might be killed, or
After you have seen any of these events.
If you have PTSD, you often have nightmares or scary thoughts about the experience you went through. You try to stay away from anything that reminds you of your experience.
You may feel angry and unable to trust or care about other people. You may always be on the lookout for danger. You can feel very upset when something happens suddenly or without warning.
This Disorder will affect almost every American soldier, your son, your daughter on return from Iraq. Regardless, of what you believe or think about this war, it doesn't matter, but it does matter to your children. I know, I suffer from PTSD. Mine is very complicated, it is the result of years as a Firefighter and a Medic and then the horrible car crash I was in.and other incidents in my life. The most important one to trigger it was a car crash where I was driving, that ended with the death of my dear wife of 27 years.
The truth is, God is always right, especially when it comes to war. Jesus, taught us to love our enemies. Whenever a soldier man or woman kills or maims or injures another human being, regardless of what he is taught in the military, regardless of what he believes his justification is, deeper in his psyche, something will happen. This shock to the human mind will be there as an enduring memory. A very bad memory.
These are just a few of the symptoms you can expect your loved one to have when they do return from Iraq.
This is a small list compiled of the symptoms and treatments for Veterans. I drew this from the web site Viet Nam Vets against the War in Iraq. These are men who returned to find their lives in shambles and many ended up on the streets of America, homeless and messed up, drug users and alcoholics and wondering with no direction to go, until they found help.
And the good soldier John or the good troop Jane, who under fire never once thought of your civil rights, your silly flag, your doofus politics. Good Johnny or Jane, I say, feel and act a tad differently when the locked down feelings, bottled up memories, instinctive behaviors of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder fervently, unexpectedly kick in.
The symptoms of PTSD, in plain bloody English, are as follows:
• Flashbacks: seeing and feeling a combat event as if it were happening right now.
• Hyper Vigilance: being always on guard, always looking for where the next shot, next grenade, next rocket, ambush or IED will come next.
• Survivor Guilt: feeling bad, feeling real bad for having survived, where others in the platoon or squad didn't.
• Moral Guilt: wrestling with actions one did or did not take on.
• Startle Reflex: dropping, flinching, turning fast at a sudden noise or unexpected touch.
• Suicidal Ideation: thinking of killing oneself.
• Homicidal ideation: thinking of killing people. Friends or complete strangers.
• Homicidal Rage: anger way out of proportion to an everyday event. It comes quick, down and dirty.
• Sadness, depression, anxiety, crying spells: Staring into space, saying nothing.
• Nightmares: violent dreams related to combat. Sometimes it's the same dream. Some vets make strange noises. Thrash in bed. Wake up scared, or sweaty.
• Ritual Behavior: at night checking the lights, locking the doors, maybe keeping a weapon at hand.
• Alienation: a vet feels as if no one understands him, doesn't fit in, feels as if he or she should have never returned
• Panic Attack: for a short time the combat vet becomes suddenly and intensely afraid. He or she sweats, breathes hard. has a pounding heart, might get dizzy, choke
• Social isolation: staying alone for long periods of time. Or in public saying very little. To the point of being noticeably very quiet
• Drug and alcohol abuse: whatever works to dull the pain glowing inside one's head
•Fear of emotional intimacy: combats often won't let anyone get close to them. If someone gets too close. the vet backs off or pushes them away
• Employment: a lot of vets can't keep a job. Every couple of months quit or get fired
• Psychic Numbing: not have the ability to feel emotions. Vets talk about feeling hollow, blank, empty.
• Denial: Problems'! What problem? I don't have a problem.
•High Risk Behavior: doing daredevil stuff to re-live the rush of combat.
These symptoms are normal responses to extraordinary events outside the range of normal human experience. Most civilians are clueless about combat and its aftermath.
Some types of treatment:
• The talking Cure: a vet talks to a therapist who is skilled in treating war stress and is not a paid bullshitter.
• Group therapy: seven to ten vets meet once a week for an hour or two. A good group leader is essential. That person knows when to talk, when to listen, how to keep the vets focused. Otherwise, group therapy can get lame fast
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): a form of hypnosis in which the vet is fully awake.
• Exercise. Meditation. Meds. A friend who will just listen. An artistic endeavor.
and
*Faith in God.
One other thing. This is real important: a lot of Vets fear talking about war. They fear losing control. Breaking down. Crying. My advice to those who have seen combat; face yourself. Chances are good you will learn to live less in the past, more in the present, but you will never be the same. WW II. Korea, Panama. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Central America, wherever you were. Whatever you did in war will always be with you. Always.
PTSD will not only affect your son or daughter, husband or wife but it will at times devastate them. You must be prepared to handle this, you need to research it now, so you can help them through.
I have been on medication for almost 5 years now that has helped some, I sleep better, I eat better and the flashbacks to the things that have affected me aren't as bad, but at anytime, something can trigger it. PTSD, has cost me jobs, difficulties in my marriage and in my family life, it has affected my behavior. My PTSD came as a result of seeing too much death, injury and stupidity of humans, murder, fights, and more. Much of this came in the late 80's and early 90's due to my 3.5 years of being a FireFighter/Medic and in my 20 years as a Private Investigator, I saw it all.
I have seen people, opened up like animals while doing part of my duty as a Medic in assisting the Pathologist with autopsies at the local hospital. This was part of our duties, when we weren't on a call. I have seen bodies, fried by fire, maimed and killed by others, children dead and more. The thing that topped it all off was the attempted rescue of my wife's own life while she lay in my arms beside me in our car and I gave her mouth to mouth, praying and hoping for her to live. She didn't. The memory of that incident has never faded. The whole accident often will attack my dreams and my daytime thoughts. The memory of others who have suffered similar losses in car accidents, mountain climbing and flying and more will always be there. Death, is something we must all live with, as someday we will die as well.
The hardest part for your returning Vets, will be that they were often responsible directly for the death of another human being. This is reality.
I wasn't responsible for the incidents I was involved in, but all the same, there is something in the human soul that loves life and clings to life and doesn't want to take life. That I believe is the creation we were made to be. We were made in the likeness of our Creator who called each of us to not kill others. Jesus clairifed this. It isn't left to argument. Love thine enemy, take no vengeance. These words are hard for Americans. They for too long have had war glorified in television and movies. They have not lived it.
Regardless of the Religionist and the Old Testament incidents. One, must realize, that in the end, death will be swallowed up and it will never exist again. This is God's purpose- life.
The thought of those dying around you, by you or near you, is not an experience every American has experienced. Thank God, this is so. September 9, 2001 was really the first experience for American "civilians"to have dealing with senseless violence and death. This is commonplace stuff in war torn countries, they live it out, they live through 911's everyday.
We can't even imagine what it is like, Iraqi's do, Palestianians do, Israeli's do and many other people in this world torn by war and greed. They watch their family members die in their arms.
Women, children and men. It doesn't matter, until you have been there and experienced the reality which goes far beyond the edited media you get on television news in America or in the war movies you watch.
It is as the voice of Marlon Brando in his part in as the renegade General in the movie "Apocalypse" said over and over at the end of the scene, "the horror of it all, the horror, the horror. "
You can't even begin to know what really goes on in the mind of a returning veteran who has actually been engaged in war, killing and seeing the death of fellow soldiers. He will pretend, often using profanity, as if it was no big deal. It's all a lie, he or she is afraid to cry. Let them cry, let them spill out their guts. This can be the beginning of healing.
God, deliver us from any more foolish wars for the sake of men's greed and need to influence power over others.
God keep you safe from ever having to experience what millions of police officers, firefighters, medics, soldiers and other health workers across the world deal with everyday in their duties. Find someone to talk to.
I can tell you, there is One who not only forgives, but comforts and that is your heavenly Father. He can teach you how to start letting go.
My PTSD grows less and less, but all the same, I still need medication to help me. Don't fear admitting, it hurts, it is terrible or whatever it takes to begin the healing process.
I'm still healing and probably will for a very long, long time. The good thing, is I know that my future is held by my Father in heaven and there is coming a day, when death will be swallowed up in victory. The fear is subsiding, the hope is returning.
I only can hope and pray for those that chose to put themselves in such a position as our soldiers to do the bidding of politicians, who will return with PTSD. God help them and their familes to understand. If you haven't lived it, you can't imagine, "the horror."
Dr. J.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a real illness. People may get PTSD after living through a disturbing or frightening experience. It can be treated with medicine and therapy.You can get PTSD after you have been:
Raped or sexually abused
Hit or harmed by someone in your family
A victim of a violent crime
In an airplane or car crash
In a hurricane, tornado, or fire
In a war,
In an event where you thought you might be killed, or
After you have seen any of these events.
If you have PTSD, you often have nightmares or scary thoughts about the experience you went through. You try to stay away from anything that reminds you of your experience.
You may feel angry and unable to trust or care about other people. You may always be on the lookout for danger. You can feel very upset when something happens suddenly or without warning.
This Disorder will affect almost every American soldier, your son, your daughter on return from Iraq. Regardless, of what you believe or think about this war, it doesn't matter, but it does matter to your children. I know, I suffer from PTSD. Mine is very complicated, it is the result of years as a Firefighter and a Medic and then the horrible car crash I was in.and other incidents in my life. The most important one to trigger it was a car crash where I was driving, that ended with the death of my dear wife of 27 years.
The truth is, God is always right, especially when it comes to war. Jesus, taught us to love our enemies. Whenever a soldier man or woman kills or maims or injures another human being, regardless of what he is taught in the military, regardless of what he believes his justification is, deeper in his psyche, something will happen. This shock to the human mind will be there as an enduring memory. A very bad memory.
These are just a few of the symptoms you can expect your loved one to have when they do return from Iraq.
This is a small list compiled of the symptoms and treatments for Veterans. I drew this from the web site Viet Nam Vets against the War in Iraq. These are men who returned to find their lives in shambles and many ended up on the streets of America, homeless and messed up, drug users and alcoholics and wondering with no direction to go, until they found help.
And the good soldier John or the good troop Jane, who under fire never once thought of your civil rights, your silly flag, your doofus politics. Good Johnny or Jane, I say, feel and act a tad differently when the locked down feelings, bottled up memories, instinctive behaviors of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder fervently, unexpectedly kick in.
The symptoms of PTSD, in plain bloody English, are as follows:
• Flashbacks: seeing and feeling a combat event as if it were happening right now.
• Hyper Vigilance: being always on guard, always looking for where the next shot, next grenade, next rocket, ambush or IED will come next.
• Survivor Guilt: feeling bad, feeling real bad for having survived, where others in the platoon or squad didn't.
• Moral Guilt: wrestling with actions one did or did not take on.
• Startle Reflex: dropping, flinching, turning fast at a sudden noise or unexpected touch.
• Suicidal Ideation: thinking of killing oneself.
• Homicidal ideation: thinking of killing people. Friends or complete strangers.
• Homicidal Rage: anger way out of proportion to an everyday event. It comes quick, down and dirty.
• Sadness, depression, anxiety, crying spells: Staring into space, saying nothing.
• Nightmares: violent dreams related to combat. Sometimes it's the same dream. Some vets make strange noises. Thrash in bed. Wake up scared, or sweaty.
• Ritual Behavior: at night checking the lights, locking the doors, maybe keeping a weapon at hand.
• Alienation: a vet feels as if no one understands him, doesn't fit in, feels as if he or she should have never returned
• Panic Attack: for a short time the combat vet becomes suddenly and intensely afraid. He or she sweats, breathes hard. has a pounding heart, might get dizzy, choke
• Social isolation: staying alone for long periods of time. Or in public saying very little. To the point of being noticeably very quiet
• Drug and alcohol abuse: whatever works to dull the pain glowing inside one's head
•Fear of emotional intimacy: combats often won't let anyone get close to them. If someone gets too close. the vet backs off or pushes them away
• Employment: a lot of vets can't keep a job. Every couple of months quit or get fired
• Psychic Numbing: not have the ability to feel emotions. Vets talk about feeling hollow, blank, empty.
• Denial: Problems'! What problem? I don't have a problem.
•High Risk Behavior: doing daredevil stuff to re-live the rush of combat.
These symptoms are normal responses to extraordinary events outside the range of normal human experience. Most civilians are clueless about combat and its aftermath.
Some types of treatment:
• The talking Cure: a vet talks to a therapist who is skilled in treating war stress and is not a paid bullshitter.
• Group therapy: seven to ten vets meet once a week for an hour or two. A good group leader is essential. That person knows when to talk, when to listen, how to keep the vets focused. Otherwise, group therapy can get lame fast
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): a form of hypnosis in which the vet is fully awake.
• Exercise. Meditation. Meds. A friend who will just listen. An artistic endeavor.
and
*Faith in God.
One other thing. This is real important: a lot of Vets fear talking about war. They fear losing control. Breaking down. Crying. My advice to those who have seen combat; face yourself. Chances are good you will learn to live less in the past, more in the present, but you will never be the same. WW II. Korea, Panama. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Central America, wherever you were. Whatever you did in war will always be with you. Always.
PTSD will not only affect your son or daughter, husband or wife but it will at times devastate them. You must be prepared to handle this, you need to research it now, so you can help them through.
I have been on medication for almost 5 years now that has helped some, I sleep better, I eat better and the flashbacks to the things that have affected me aren't as bad, but at anytime, something can trigger it. PTSD, has cost me jobs, difficulties in my marriage and in my family life, it has affected my behavior. My PTSD came as a result of seeing too much death, injury and stupidity of humans, murder, fights, and more. Much of this came in the late 80's and early 90's due to my 3.5 years of being a FireFighter/Medic and in my 20 years as a Private Investigator, I saw it all.
I have seen people, opened up like animals while doing part of my duty as a Medic in assisting the Pathologist with autopsies at the local hospital. This was part of our duties, when we weren't on a call. I have seen bodies, fried by fire, maimed and killed by others, children dead and more. The thing that topped it all off was the attempted rescue of my wife's own life while she lay in my arms beside me in our car and I gave her mouth to mouth, praying and hoping for her to live. She didn't. The memory of that incident has never faded. The whole accident often will attack my dreams and my daytime thoughts. The memory of others who have suffered similar losses in car accidents, mountain climbing and flying and more will always be there. Death, is something we must all live with, as someday we will die as well.
The hardest part for your returning Vets, will be that they were often responsible directly for the death of another human being. This is reality.
I wasn't responsible for the incidents I was involved in, but all the same, there is something in the human soul that loves life and clings to life and doesn't want to take life. That I believe is the creation we were made to be. We were made in the likeness of our Creator who called each of us to not kill others. Jesus clairifed this. It isn't left to argument. Love thine enemy, take no vengeance. These words are hard for Americans. They for too long have had war glorified in television and movies. They have not lived it.
Regardless of the Religionist and the Old Testament incidents. One, must realize, that in the end, death will be swallowed up and it will never exist again. This is God's purpose- life.
The thought of those dying around you, by you or near you, is not an experience every American has experienced. Thank God, this is so. September 9, 2001 was really the first experience for American "civilians"to have dealing with senseless violence and death. This is commonplace stuff in war torn countries, they live it out, they live through 911's everyday.
We can't even imagine what it is like, Iraqi's do, Palestianians do, Israeli's do and many other people in this world torn by war and greed. They watch their family members die in their arms.
Women, children and men. It doesn't matter, until you have been there and experienced the reality which goes far beyond the edited media you get on television news in America or in the war movies you watch.
It is as the voice of Marlon Brando in his part in as the renegade General in the movie "Apocalypse" said over and over at the end of the scene, "the horror of it all, the horror, the horror. "
You can't even begin to know what really goes on in the mind of a returning veteran who has actually been engaged in war, killing and seeing the death of fellow soldiers. He will pretend, often using profanity, as if it was no big deal. It's all a lie, he or she is afraid to cry. Let them cry, let them spill out their guts. This can be the beginning of healing.
God, deliver us from any more foolish wars for the sake of men's greed and need to influence power over others.
God keep you safe from ever having to experience what millions of police officers, firefighters, medics, soldiers and other health workers across the world deal with everyday in their duties. Find someone to talk to.
I can tell you, there is One who not only forgives, but comforts and that is your heavenly Father. He can teach you how to start letting go.
My PTSD grows less and less, but all the same, I still need medication to help me. Don't fear admitting, it hurts, it is terrible or whatever it takes to begin the healing process.
I'm still healing and probably will for a very long, long time. The good thing, is I know that my future is held by my Father in heaven and there is coming a day, when death will be swallowed up in victory. The fear is subsiding, the hope is returning.
I only can hope and pray for those that chose to put themselves in such a position as our soldiers to do the bidding of politicians, who will return with PTSD. God help them and their familes to understand. If you haven't lived it, you can't imagine, "the horror."
Dr. J.
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