Thoughts on some of the news of the past week

I have sat staring at my screen for the longest time attempting to figure how to explain no posts for several days. Simple fact of the matter is I've been trying to enjoy summer when my homework does not get in the way too much. Several items in the news jumped out at me this week and so I figured I'd share my thoughts an all of them in just one post.

Budget Issues

As I have said before, money and economics are not my strength, yet, somehow when it becomes the big news of the day and I am one of the thousands of people struggling to find a job, I am beginning to learn more about it.

Many of the Republicans on Capitol Hill are favoring the Cut, Cap and Balance Act. I agree with two-thirds of it--cutting spending and a Constitutional Amendment. Whatever is done, raising the debt ceiling is not the answer and it should not be done. Our debt is great enough without allowing us to go any deeper. A friend described the problem as a person who maxes out all their credit cards and then asks for a raise. What credit card company would ever grant that request? So why then can our government get more "credit" after maxing out all of its "credit cards?" No business would still be around if they ran their finances like our government does. We need to cut spending, but the last thing to cut is military pay checks, defense spending, Social Security, and federal agencies like the CIA and FBI. What should be cut is the president's pet projects in which the government has no right to be involved in. Cutting back and having less money is never fun, but honestly, who ever gets everything they want? Not even celebrities do. Human nature always wants more and is never satisfied.

As to a Constitutional Amendment, I am in favor of it. Even though I am in compete support of less government, this is not an issue of the government getting involved in something they should not. It is an issue of responsibility and if the people who are elected to be in charge can not do it on their own, then rules and laws must be instated. That is the purpose of government-- to provide checks and balances because of the human sin nature. So we need to pass this Amendment to protect our country.

NASA

The final shuttle was recently launched into space, thanks to the men and women who do not seem to have the knowledge that our space program budget is one of the things that should not be cut. Some people may think it's wise, but that is because they do not fully realize all the the space exploration program has done for us as individual and society. Just stop and think about all the items or science behind them that we have in our life that we would not otherwise enjoy--personal computers, cell phones, microwaves, GPS, and more. I hope that the space program is expanded again someday, we need it.

Banning Mosques Being Built

An article on Fox News.com told about a small town in Tennessee that wants to ban the building of a mosque because the proposed spot is special to the town. Presidential candidate, Herman Cain, came out in support of the ban and implied the it would be good to outlaw the construction of mosques everywhere. My response was "REALLY????" It went on to say that it would not violate the Constitution as mosques are not just a religious place, but seek to institute Sharia Law.

I am 100% against Islam and Sharia Law, but I am 200% for the First Amendment and freedom of religion. We already have enough issues of people trying to invoke "separation of church and state" that the last thing we need to do is ban the erection of a religious building.

The Founding Fathers' desire, purpose, and motivation was to insure freedom OF religion, meaning any person could practice any religion at any time and in any place they so desire. In fact, if they wanted to deny there is a God, that was okay too. In England, many of them had lived under a State Church that had almost as much power as the government and they did not want that for our country.

So let them build their mosque. Muslims are at times very inconsiderate of the locations they choose such as the attempt at Ground Zero or this town in Tennessee, but a ban is un-Constitutional. As to the issue of Sharia Law, I do not feel it is my place to say that it should be banned completely, but it is not the law of our land. If Muslims desire to practice it among themselves and in the mosques, so be it, just DO NOT impose it on Americans in general. That is not how our country was founded and on that I will stand firm. I have no doubt that there are certain Biblical practices that the Muslims would like to forbid, yet Christians have the freedom to practice any Biblical commandments they so desire as a community. Some might argue that it is different considering that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. That is true but our country does not abide by every law in the Bible. Thus, allowing Muslims to fully practice Islam is no different believers "practicing" Christianity.

Debt Ceiling and Taxes

The big issue on Capitol Hill currently is passing a budget and whether or not to raise the debt ceiling. To put it frankly, they are idiots to even consider such an idea. My intent is not to be disrespectful but sometimes people need a "reality-check."

Economics has never been my strongest area; I am working being more educated in regards to it. However, it does not take an economist to figure this problem out. It's simple -- cut taxes and spending. The problem is not that the debt ceiling is too low, it is the out of control spending of Washington and all the government programs. People don't need them, they need their own savings.

Under Reagan, it was proven that reducing taxes increases revenue. To many Washington elitists, this sounds incomprehensible. It is simple, by decreasing what a person compulsorily pays in taxes, then voluntarily they will use the extra money to go buy the dress they've been admiring for weeks, or a new computer, or whatever it is. When people start buying products, the stores need more employees to support the sales and the product companies need them to supply the demand. All of this in turn creates a booming economy.

Washington has lost touch with reality and their constituents. I am not a conservative or Republican because someone told me to, but because after looking at all the issues, the right side seems to be the most grounded and don't have their head in the clouds. Democrats are so concerned about their own agendas and what they have been brainwashed into believing is the right thing, that they cannot consider what is best for the greater good of Americans and our country.

Cutting taxes and spending might mean that Americans would have to sacrifice for a while until the economy gets going again. But they are already doing it just with no end in sight. Cut taxes and things will get better. Don't raise the debt ceiling, it will only make it worse.

Many people just sit back passively and watch what is happening in DC while complaining to their friends. One of the great things about our country is that every person has a voice and say in what happens. We can have an influence in the outcome of what happens in Congress. Call your congressmen or women and senators and let them know how you feel. Ultimately, most men and women in Congress care more about being reelected then how they vote, consequently if enough constituents voice their opinions, the senator or congressman or woman will vote in favor of the people in ensure reelection.