Problems Require Solutions

We live in tenuous times. Surf any social media website or news channel and you will see problems are abound. Significant problems. Our country is more divided than ever. The national debt level is out of control yet government spending continues to increase, real unemployment is the highest it has been in decades, gas and food prices continue to rise at an alarming rate, the U.S. has no energy independence, our borders are not secure, the government is cutting benefits to veterans who have made tremendous sacrifices for our country, employers are cutting employee benefits, pensions are in jeopardy, healthcare cost continue to skyrocket out of control despite Obamacare (I mean ObamaTAX), too many children go to bed hungry every night, teen pregnancy is a problem, drug use/abuse costs society billions, crime rates continue to plague our communities, the level of high school dropouts continues to be problematic.  I could go on but you should get the point and if you don’t then this blog is not for you. Find a nice beach on one of the liberal coasts and stick your head in the sand. We argue about topics such as:, Gun control, gay marriage, homosexuality, immigration, border security, national security, racism, homelessness, abortion, euthanasia, politics, climate control, conservation, equality, diversity, fairness, legalization of drugs, taxes, destruction of the middle class, freedom, individual rights, states’ rights, healthcare, crime, education, inflation, employment, technology, war, etc. Our country has problems…serious problems. 

The founding fathers never wanted the debts of one generation to be passed on to the next generation. Yet, the current administration has accrued an astounding amount of debt. It is interesting how President Obama stated that former President Bush was “unpatriotic” for spending so much money yet President Obama has outspent Bush by trillions. Logically, I guess that makes President Obama very unpatriotic. When we talk about trillions we are talking about a figure that is so outstanding it is incomprehensible to most.  Unfortunately, the ones who will pay the highest price are our children, their children, and possibly their children. At some point significant cuts will have to be made to entitlement programs. If not, we will run out of money as a country. We will destroy ourselves from within. It is mathematically impossible to continue spending at our current rate. One significant problem is that those who are receiving government benefits will rarely vote themselves out of “free” stuff! 

You see, the solution is simple in theory yet difficult in application. The solution: cut spending immediately. The problem is where to cut the spending. That should be easy but politicians make it difficult because they don’t want to offend their “constituents” who may then vote them out of office. What a great argument for term limits. 

Following are staggering facts:

•  According to the Census Bureau, “the number of Americans living below the official poverty line, 46.2 million people, was the highest number in the 52 years the bureau has been publishing figures on it.”

•  The latest USDA report shows that 47.8 million Americans, which make up 15 percent of the country, are receiving food stamp benefits.

• Median real household income fell 1.7 percent, to $62,273, and income inequality rose in 2011.

• In 2011, about 49 percent of the population lived in a household where at least one member received a direct benefit from the federal government. (Former presidential candidate Romney was chastised for his 47% remark!)

• The nation’s homeless population was 636,017 in 2011.

• The number of homeless veterans was 67,495 in 2011.

• The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 59% of the nation's illegal immigrants are uninsured. Illegal immigrants represent about 15% of the nation's 47 million uninsured people — and about 30% of the increase since 1980. The Federation for American Immigration Reform puts the total cost at $10.7 billion and calls the estimate conservative.

Clearly, America and American’s have problems and need help. I think most American’s have no problem helping those in need. Ah, those in need! Yes, we are willing to help those in need; not those who are lazy or unwilling to help themselves. We must also question whether it is the government’s responsibility to provide all of the help or should we be relying more on the private sector. You see, tough decisions must be made and they really need to be made soon. We are heading to a cliff and the breaks are not even being applied. This is dangerous to our country. This is dangerous to you.

This begs the question: What is your role in the solution?

You see, it is one thing to complain about a problem and it is something very different to do something about the problem. It has been my observation that people do not get involved in problems that do not personally impact them. For example, if you are currently employed, have food on the table, and are able to pay your bills on time then everything is fine. The economy hasn’t yet impacted you except maybe for higher prices. You still eat at mealtime. Creditors aren’t calling your phone five times a day. Your mailbox is not full with delinquency letters. It is only when you lose your job, don’t have money for food, or fall behind in your bills that you become motivated to “do something” and get the word out. Yet, you already know where we are headed in this country. You know what lies ahead. Yet, because it has not personally impacted you, you don’t do anything different. You take no action. You are silent as others suffer. If the current level of spending continues disaster will impact you, me, and the rest of the country. 

The question is: What are you going to do now before it is too late?

• First, if you are not a registered voter or if you are registered to vote but fail to utilize your right then you are part of the problem. You have no right to complain about what is happening or what is going to happen. The United States is a republic which is a system where the people choose representatives who, in turn, make policy decisions on our behalf. It is a shame that so many Americans fail to understand how our country works and what makes it special. Everyone in the United States of America who has the right to vote should use that right each and every time. Utilize your right to vote. People in other countries die trying to get this privilege.

• Use your 1^st Amendment rights:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

• Talk with friends and relatives about what is occurring. Use social media. Join groups who share similar interest. It is okay to disagree with others but be professional. There is no need to demean other, use foul language, or resort to any type of verbal or physical abuse. Rise above such temptations should you have them. Remember the saying, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”3

•  Call, email, write, or meet with your elected representatives and let them know your thoughts on the issues.

•  Educate yourself on the issues from the perspective of both sides. Every story has at least two sides and it is important to exam issues from multiple perspectives. You are at a disadvantage if you are debating with an individual who has different views if you have not critically examined the issues from all sides. Unfortunately, the main stream media never does this. Neither do liberal college professors who are filling young and impressionable minds with poisoned knowledge.

There are other steps that can be taken but this would be a monumental start. Don’t wait until it is too late. The representatives that “we” send to Washington D.C. work for “us.” Never let them forget that important piece of information. Your opinion does count but only if you let it out for others to hear! Problems require solutions; if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.

God Bless America.

This article is protected by the rights provided in the 1^st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.

//TC

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