These are the following goals for the Valley View Neighborhood that the "Nehemiah Mesquite Mission" is working towards:
Our goals for the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission’s efforts in the Valley View Heights Addition through February are the following:
CRIME
* Find and develop at least 3-4 crime watch chairpersons to work certain streets. Work closely with police department so they have good information and intelligence as to potential problems.
* Encourage neighbors knowing each other and communicating well with one another.
* Make sure all sex offenders are properly registered
MINISTRY/EVANGELISM
* Involve area churches to come minister in that neighborhood.
* Help spread love and kindness up and down each street. (Jesus said "Love your neighbor.")
QUALITY OF LIFE/ENCOURAGING GOOD CITIZENSHIP
* Engage landlords who are not taking care of their properties—persuade and encourage them to take better care of their properties and invest more in the neighborhood
* Show appreciation for those renters and landlords who do take care of their properties.
* Assist renters and homeowners who legitimately need some help with their lawn/landscapes or home repair work. (Similar type work that “Addressing Mesquite Day” does.
* Incorporate monthly “trash bashes” or litter cleanups.
* Encourage recycling.
* Register folks in that neighborhood to vote and get involved in their community
* Encourage participation in PTAS for neighborhood feeder schools
* Encourage the convenience store next to the neighborhood at Carnation and Rodeo Center to stop selling drug paraphanalia and become more family oriented.
NEXT NEIGHBORHOOD
We’d covet prayers from everyone as to which neighborhood the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission should go into after Valley View Heights. Our goal is to have accomplished our goals for Valley View Heights by February.
I don't know how much help we will have, or how many volunteers will step up. But I know that all things are possible with God! Lets be praying for God to bless every family living in the Valley View Heights Neighborhood!
There is nothing wrong with Mesquite that cannot be fixed with what is right with Mesquite!
Bruce
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Getting Boots On The Ground
We began our “Boots On The Ground” execution of the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission yesterday. We were going to start at 10am, but due to the rain—we wound up starting at 2:30. I think we would have had some volunteers at 10 had it not been raining. So I went to a few random houses on both Rodeo Center (formerly Hickory Tree) and Rose Street.
The first lady I spoke to is a single mother who just moved into the neighborhood a few weeks ago. Seeing the poor shape of both the inside and outside of the home she is renting, makes me wonder if the landlord is paying the water bill, to avoid having city staff come in and do the rental inspection program that is supposed to happen before a new renter can rent the home. But having said that, I intend to be open minded and look at every situation individually. This single mother is raising two daughters and is attending college and receiving no child support from the father and she needs a part time job. She complained of one of her neighbors who throws trash in her yard often. If you walk through the “Flower Neighborhood” as I call it (many streets with the name of various flowers), you will see a number of yards and back alleys full of trash and litter. You could tell this woman is trying to build a better future, but is beat down and needs some hope. Pray for her please.
The next home I visited was a home of several Mexican men who labor here and pray that some day their children in Mexico can come to live with them here. These men were afraid at first that I was a person of authority there to cause them a problem. But very quickly, they begin to open up about what they think their street needs and they shared that their home has been broken into a couple of times. Then the man who spoke the best English agreed to help me interpret as we go through the neighborhood and meet a number of Spanish-speaking families.
The next family I met was so shocked that anyone actually cared what they thought or that anyone cared about their neighborhood. Both work and are doing the best they can to build a future for their son. The wife actually was in her front yard recently watching things and saw a couple of guys trying to break into her neighbor’s house and she called the police and they caught the burglars! I gave her a high give! She might be our first crime watch chair person?
Every family I spoke to gave me their views of what they thought was needed and shared their concerns and hopes. I told them that Lord willing, God would send us more volunteers.
Every family I spoke to were renters. Every family or individual I spoke to were willing to start trying to sit out in their front yards for a little while each day if they are home and watch for crime. And everyone said they wanted to be a part of making their street and neighborhood better. I was so excited and proud!
I was also encouraged that every family I met with let me pray for them and seem to like the idea of spreading Godliness through their neighborhood!
While there are some rough patches in this neighborhood, there are also a number of homes that do take good care of their properties and we want to encourage them and spur them on!
Let us keep dreaming of a better city and a better place for our children to be raised!
"Where there is no vision, the people will perish" (Proverbs 29:18, NIV).
There is nothing wrong with Mesquite that cannot be fixed with what is right with Mesquite!
Bruce
The first lady I spoke to is a single mother who just moved into the neighborhood a few weeks ago. Seeing the poor shape of both the inside and outside of the home she is renting, makes me wonder if the landlord is paying the water bill, to avoid having city staff come in and do the rental inspection program that is supposed to happen before a new renter can rent the home. But having said that, I intend to be open minded and look at every situation individually. This single mother is raising two daughters and is attending college and receiving no child support from the father and she needs a part time job. She complained of one of her neighbors who throws trash in her yard often. If you walk through the “Flower Neighborhood” as I call it (many streets with the name of various flowers), you will see a number of yards and back alleys full of trash and litter. You could tell this woman is trying to build a better future, but is beat down and needs some hope. Pray for her please.
The next home I visited was a home of several Mexican men who labor here and pray that some day their children in Mexico can come to live with them here. These men were afraid at first that I was a person of authority there to cause them a problem. But very quickly, they begin to open up about what they think their street needs and they shared that their home has been broken into a couple of times. Then the man who spoke the best English agreed to help me interpret as we go through the neighborhood and meet a number of Spanish-speaking families.
The next family I met was so shocked that anyone actually cared what they thought or that anyone cared about their neighborhood. Both work and are doing the best they can to build a future for their son. The wife actually was in her front yard recently watching things and saw a couple of guys trying to break into her neighbor’s house and she called the police and they caught the burglars! I gave her a high give! She might be our first crime watch chair person?
Every family I spoke to gave me their views of what they thought was needed and shared their concerns and hopes. I told them that Lord willing, God would send us more volunteers.
Every family I spoke to were renters. Every family or individual I spoke to were willing to start trying to sit out in their front yards for a little while each day if they are home and watch for crime. And everyone said they wanted to be a part of making their street and neighborhood better. I was so excited and proud!
I was also encouraged that every family I met with let me pray for them and seem to like the idea of spreading Godliness through their neighborhood!
While there are some rough patches in this neighborhood, there are also a number of homes that do take good care of their properties and we want to encourage them and spur them on!
Let us keep dreaming of a better city and a better place for our children to be raised!
"Where there is no vision, the people will perish" (Proverbs 29:18, NIV).
There is nothing wrong with Mesquite that cannot be fixed with what is right with Mesquite!
Bruce
Sunday, September 19, 2010
NEW DIRECTION FOR THIS BLOG
When I first began this "political blog," it was to be separated from my "preacher blog" simply because I enjoy commentating on the heated and big political matters of the day. Its always been a side hobby, just as is reading in American History. Us preachers have to have some hobbies! :)
However, for the next few months--this blog will take a different direction. I have come to the conclusion--that neither Barack Obama, Sara Palin, Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and the list goes on--NONE OF THEM CAN REALLY FIX OUR PROBLEMS! Neither can the mayors and city councils and school boards of each of our communities. Not that government can't and shouldn't play a role in helping to make things better--but ultimately--God and a citizenry that cares about their communities CAN INDEED MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE! Just go read the Book of Nehemiah!
Thus, I am starting a movement in the City of Mesquite--called "The Nehemiah Mesquite Mission." This movement is not a political organization, a non-profit, a church, or anything else other than a movement of God's people going out into parts of Mesquite to "rebuild the walls and lives" our fellow citizens. Having said that, if anyone who is not a Christian would like to take part in helping uplift neighborhoods and serve others--they will be welcome to help and treated as valued workers and neighbors!
There are great needs in our city! Just drive around in various neighborhoods and see rampant poverty. Drive around and see homes falling apart, yards full of trash and unkept properties. Drive around and go into convenience stores in these struggling neighborhoods and see the drug paraphanalia and smut they sell--and the kids living in those neighborhoods go into those stores everyday! Often these are the same kids who are struggling in school, have no strong guidance at home and need mentors desperately! Drive around and see growing crime all around us. We can't hire enough police officers to stop every possible situation. We actually have better options avaialble to us--through good neighbors looking out for each other.
Some of these property owners, apartment complexes, and other places--may need to be dealt with somewhat severely and the use of our local authorities may have to enforce local ordinances and laws. However, I believe there are many good citizens out there--renters and homeowners who want to have better neighborhoods and better places for their kids to grow up. Maybe some of these folks need some love, support, friendship, and help. Maybe some of the property owners need some help getting their lawn and landscape fixed up and a coat of paint on their house instead of having code enforcement called out on them. This is where the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission comes in and begins to make a difference Lord willing. Groups and organizations like the Mesquite Ministerial Alliance are doing great work with things like "Addressing Mesquite Day." But my dream and vision is to expand such efforts to be taking place all through out city on a daily basis!
How many businesses are struggling and failing in Mesquite? How many unemployed do we have in our city? How many need hope?
I will be posting soon, a greater definition of the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission. However, in the mean time. I will be enlisting every possible volunteer and worker we can get! It matters not if you are a Republican or a Democrat or what your political beliefs are. It doesn't matter if you dislike certain people in the city who are also involved in the community. What matters is that we all come together and make a difference and honor God! I am calling upon every church in Mesquite to soon adopt a section of the city--maybe a street, a school, an apartment complex etc and send their members out to minister and serve in those areas! Just imagine. Just dream of the possibilities!
I have a Facebook page devoted to the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission. Stop by.
There is nothing wrong with Mesquite that cannot be fixed by what is right with Mesquite!
Bruce Archer
However, for the next few months--this blog will take a different direction. I have come to the conclusion--that neither Barack Obama, Sara Palin, Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and the list goes on--NONE OF THEM CAN REALLY FIX OUR PROBLEMS! Neither can the mayors and city councils and school boards of each of our communities. Not that government can't and shouldn't play a role in helping to make things better--but ultimately--God and a citizenry that cares about their communities CAN INDEED MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE! Just go read the Book of Nehemiah!
Thus, I am starting a movement in the City of Mesquite--called "The Nehemiah Mesquite Mission." This movement is not a political organization, a non-profit, a church, or anything else other than a movement of God's people going out into parts of Mesquite to "rebuild the walls and lives" our fellow citizens. Having said that, if anyone who is not a Christian would like to take part in helping uplift neighborhoods and serve others--they will be welcome to help and treated as valued workers and neighbors!
There are great needs in our city! Just drive around in various neighborhoods and see rampant poverty. Drive around and see homes falling apart, yards full of trash and unkept properties. Drive around and go into convenience stores in these struggling neighborhoods and see the drug paraphanalia and smut they sell--and the kids living in those neighborhoods go into those stores everyday! Often these are the same kids who are struggling in school, have no strong guidance at home and need mentors desperately! Drive around and see growing crime all around us. We can't hire enough police officers to stop every possible situation. We actually have better options avaialble to us--through good neighbors looking out for each other.
Some of these property owners, apartment complexes, and other places--may need to be dealt with somewhat severely and the use of our local authorities may have to enforce local ordinances and laws. However, I believe there are many good citizens out there--renters and homeowners who want to have better neighborhoods and better places for their kids to grow up. Maybe some of these folks need some love, support, friendship, and help. Maybe some of the property owners need some help getting their lawn and landscape fixed up and a coat of paint on their house instead of having code enforcement called out on them. This is where the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission comes in and begins to make a difference Lord willing. Groups and organizations like the Mesquite Ministerial Alliance are doing great work with things like "Addressing Mesquite Day." But my dream and vision is to expand such efforts to be taking place all through out city on a daily basis!
How many businesses are struggling and failing in Mesquite? How many unemployed do we have in our city? How many need hope?
I will be posting soon, a greater definition of the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission. However, in the mean time. I will be enlisting every possible volunteer and worker we can get! It matters not if you are a Republican or a Democrat or what your political beliefs are. It doesn't matter if you dislike certain people in the city who are also involved in the community. What matters is that we all come together and make a difference and honor God! I am calling upon every church in Mesquite to soon adopt a section of the city--maybe a street, a school, an apartment complex etc and send their members out to minister and serve in those areas! Just imagine. Just dream of the possibilities!
I have a Facebook page devoted to the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission. Stop by.
There is nothing wrong with Mesquite that cannot be fixed by what is right with Mesquite!
Bruce Archer
Monday, September 6, 2010
LABOR DAY
I could so easily talk about the fact that I often struggle to try to discern the best policies in which the nation needs to go when it comes to economic policy. I look back and see some of the tough decisions President Obama made (that Bush was already making before Obama took office) regarding keeping some of the major industries such as the auto and banking systems from collapsing--and thus I believe that contrary to what many of my more Republican or Libertarian thinking friends think--some governmental involvement and control is not all bad. I think there were drastic decisions the president has had to make to simply maintain stability in the nation. And yet, there are some good arguments from conservatives I respect like Newt Gingrich and my friend Tom Pauken here in Texas--who contend that its time that more free market policies were allowed to shape more economic policy and less governmental handling.
Which brings me to the thought, that Americans might just get better overall government if the GOP takes over the U.S. House and makes the Senate tighter. Then both Congress and the President will actually perhaps be forced to work together so something good actually gets done--just as they did in the mid 1990s when a GOP led Congress worked out a deal with President Clinton for meaningful welfare reform to take place!
And yet, my purpose for this blog entry was not so much about politics as it is about where our nation is at when it comes to plain old work! Labor! Regardless of who runs the White House and Congress--we have a far greater problem! We have an entire generation of young people who simply have little to no respect for hard work!
Whether at school, at home, or when they turn 18 and are finally forced to go get a job--a generation of young people simply DO NOT WANT TO WORK! There is such an entitlement attitude! I see it even in my own kids!
I was blessed to have had a father who always taught us the importance and good value of hard work! My father was a lawyer who could have easily avoided most forms of manual labor in his later career. But instead, he was always working with his hands and getting dirty. When I was a boy, my parents used to buy HUD houses, fix em up and turn around and sell them. My dad would work his job as City Attorney in Mesquite and then come home and change clothes and go work on the HUD houses til midnight. I remember one time seeing my dad take his hand to unclog a sewer pipe. My father always said "All work is honorable!"
So from the time I was a 15 year old grocery clerk all the way til now as a pastor, I believe hard work is a cornerstone of our lives! When I was working for Safeway all thought high school, I wanted to be the absolute best at everything! Whether I was bagging or checking groceries, stocking the dairy or the shelves or sweeping and mopping the floors--every task I did was going to be absolutely 100 percent! And usually my supervisors saw me literally running to accomplish every task they gave me! And I remember ambition. I soon wanted to move into management. Not so much because of the money, but because I longed to really make a difference and build something good. Years later in restaurant management, I also strived to often be the best! And I wanted my employees to be not only the best workers they could be, but also the best people they could also be!
Today, we see a generation that has grown up on electronic gadgets and games. They don't want to work. Most of them live in fantasy worlds and have no grasp of the real world! So many are absolutely so full of apathy--that only self-gratification matters to them! And this attitude knows no economic or social boundaries!
So what is the answer? How can we change the attitudes of our young people! How can we truly celebrate Labor Day when so many of our young people are ready to work against us? If we are not able to get the next generation prepared for the important work that will be needed to keep this great country going--something has to give somewhere!
Tell me what you think?
Which brings me to the thought, that Americans might just get better overall government if the GOP takes over the U.S. House and makes the Senate tighter. Then both Congress and the President will actually perhaps be forced to work together so something good actually gets done--just as they did in the mid 1990s when a GOP led Congress worked out a deal with President Clinton for meaningful welfare reform to take place!
And yet, my purpose for this blog entry was not so much about politics as it is about where our nation is at when it comes to plain old work! Labor! Regardless of who runs the White House and Congress--we have a far greater problem! We have an entire generation of young people who simply have little to no respect for hard work!
Whether at school, at home, or when they turn 18 and are finally forced to go get a job--a generation of young people simply DO NOT WANT TO WORK! There is such an entitlement attitude! I see it even in my own kids!
I was blessed to have had a father who always taught us the importance and good value of hard work! My father was a lawyer who could have easily avoided most forms of manual labor in his later career. But instead, he was always working with his hands and getting dirty. When I was a boy, my parents used to buy HUD houses, fix em up and turn around and sell them. My dad would work his job as City Attorney in Mesquite and then come home and change clothes and go work on the HUD houses til midnight. I remember one time seeing my dad take his hand to unclog a sewer pipe. My father always said "All work is honorable!"
So from the time I was a 15 year old grocery clerk all the way til now as a pastor, I believe hard work is a cornerstone of our lives! When I was working for Safeway all thought high school, I wanted to be the absolute best at everything! Whether I was bagging or checking groceries, stocking the dairy or the shelves or sweeping and mopping the floors--every task I did was going to be absolutely 100 percent! And usually my supervisors saw me literally running to accomplish every task they gave me! And I remember ambition. I soon wanted to move into management. Not so much because of the money, but because I longed to really make a difference and build something good. Years later in restaurant management, I also strived to often be the best! And I wanted my employees to be not only the best workers they could be, but also the best people they could also be!
Today, we see a generation that has grown up on electronic gadgets and games. They don't want to work. Most of them live in fantasy worlds and have no grasp of the real world! So many are absolutely so full of apathy--that only self-gratification matters to them! And this attitude knows no economic or social boundaries!
So what is the answer? How can we change the attitudes of our young people! How can we truly celebrate Labor Day when so many of our young people are ready to work against us? If we are not able to get the next generation prepared for the important work that will be needed to keep this great country going--something has to give somewhere!
Tell me what you think?
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Changing The Tone
I spend a lot of time in book stores--I love books! Usually I spend most of that time in the American History/Political Science/Biography sections. Too often I see book after book by either a conservative or liberal writer--slamming the other side! Titles like "Why Liberals Are Stupid" or "Conservatives Are Nazis" or "How Liberals Are Destroying Our Nation" or "How Conservatives Are Selling Us Out" and the list goes on and on and on! Most of these books rarely offer well thought out solutions as well as ideas and ideals on how to solve our nation's problems. They just attack the other side, make fun of them, call them un-American and basically they raise the level of hate in this country!
Sadly, I never see titles like "How We Can All Come Together And Rebuild Our Nation" or "Out With Partisanship And In With Unity" or "Bridging The Partisan Divide." Such titles of such books, simply would not be as juicy and would not play to the base of the two major political parties. Such titles don't get people as stirred up and whipped into a frenzy. The purpose these days in politics and political leadership--is rarely to inspire and motivate people to go make a difference and invest in their nation, state, and community. Instead, more bridges keep being burned and ideas and ideals matter less and less and high toned rhetoric carries the day--while often NOTHING USEFUL gets done for the people! Sam Rayburn once said "Any jackass can kick down a barn."
But we can change that!
I'm not against the two party system. However, I am against extremism and I am against putting party politics before national and community needs! The average American does not care about the ins and outs of party politics. They don't care about making a precinct meeting or a senatorial district convention. However, many of these same folks do vote, they pay taxes, they go to jury duty, and they work and contribute to society! I think President Nixon called such folks "The Silent Majority." These hard working families don't want to hear about President Obama being called the "Anti-Christ" or a "Communist" anymore than they want to hear about some of Sarah Palin's personal life issues or how her daughter's ex-boyfriend is running for mayor in her hometown.
They want to hear about what we are gonna do about strengthening the economy. They want to hear how we will remain safe abroad and at home. They want to see unhealthy immigration tempered and changed instead of a war of hate and words between the Governor of Arizona and Obama Justice Department. They want to see an end to entitlements and unhealthy/enabling of welfare--without hurting families who really do need help.
And in the community, we want to hear about how we will finance and then execute repairing streets and old water utilities infrastructure, storm drains, better public safety, and how to avoid cutting needed local programs during tight budgets.
We can do all those things and more and do them well! If we move beyond the heated and hateful rhetoric of the current partisan divide! Republicans and Democrats don't have to give up all their core values to be willing to work together and get things done. Campaigning for reelection should start the next day after the election. WHEN DO WE GET DOWN TO GOVERNING?
I've never been a big fan of Newt Gingrich--but at least he writes books that offers well thought out solutions and ways of making things better from his vantage point--that are not just political attack books! Lets start debating methods and strategies of how we should fix problems and not hate each other because we just don't agree!
If conservatives and liberals started talking more and getting to know each other, they might find a lot of areas they agree on. And many of us who don't consider ourselves in either category, get tired of being lumped into one or the other because of certain positions we may have on the issues. I am pro-life and anti-gay marraige--but that does not make me a hater of people who don't agree with me on those issues. I believe there are some areas that government needs to play a part in, when a major financial collapse is about to take place--but that does not make me a socialist. And no matter where my views are, I don't have to have my way on everything--and many of our members of Congress need to learn that they can't have their way on everything--that they may one day have to actually compromise and work together to get something needed done for the people!
We need to lower the degree of harshness and intenseness. We need to stop questioning each other's motives and suggesting that those who may disagree with us are just bad people!
Both George W. Bush and Barack Obama both promised to "change the tone" in Washington. But reality is, under both presidents--we are more divided than we've ever been! Let us learn to sit down at the table of brotherhood and actually learn from each other and consider each other's views. What do we have to lose? ITS TIME TO CHANGE THE TONE!
Sadly, I never see titles like "How We Can All Come Together And Rebuild Our Nation" or "Out With Partisanship And In With Unity" or "Bridging The Partisan Divide." Such titles of such books, simply would not be as juicy and would not play to the base of the two major political parties. Such titles don't get people as stirred up and whipped into a frenzy. The purpose these days in politics and political leadership--is rarely to inspire and motivate people to go make a difference and invest in their nation, state, and community. Instead, more bridges keep being burned and ideas and ideals matter less and less and high toned rhetoric carries the day--while often NOTHING USEFUL gets done for the people! Sam Rayburn once said "Any jackass can kick down a barn."
But we can change that!
I'm not against the two party system. However, I am against extremism and I am against putting party politics before national and community needs! The average American does not care about the ins and outs of party politics. They don't care about making a precinct meeting or a senatorial district convention. However, many of these same folks do vote, they pay taxes, they go to jury duty, and they work and contribute to society! I think President Nixon called such folks "The Silent Majority." These hard working families don't want to hear about President Obama being called the "Anti-Christ" or a "Communist" anymore than they want to hear about some of Sarah Palin's personal life issues or how her daughter's ex-boyfriend is running for mayor in her hometown.
They want to hear about what we are gonna do about strengthening the economy. They want to hear how we will remain safe abroad and at home. They want to see unhealthy immigration tempered and changed instead of a war of hate and words between the Governor of Arizona and Obama Justice Department. They want to see an end to entitlements and unhealthy/enabling of welfare--without hurting families who really do need help.
And in the community, we want to hear about how we will finance and then execute repairing streets and old water utilities infrastructure, storm drains, better public safety, and how to avoid cutting needed local programs during tight budgets.
We can do all those things and more and do them well! If we move beyond the heated and hateful rhetoric of the current partisan divide! Republicans and Democrats don't have to give up all their core values to be willing to work together and get things done. Campaigning for reelection should start the next day after the election. WHEN DO WE GET DOWN TO GOVERNING?
I've never been a big fan of Newt Gingrich--but at least he writes books that offers well thought out solutions and ways of making things better from his vantage point--that are not just political attack books! Lets start debating methods and strategies of how we should fix problems and not hate each other because we just don't agree!
If conservatives and liberals started talking more and getting to know each other, they might find a lot of areas they agree on. And many of us who don't consider ourselves in either category, get tired of being lumped into one or the other because of certain positions we may have on the issues. I am pro-life and anti-gay marraige--but that does not make me a hater of people who don't agree with me on those issues. I believe there are some areas that government needs to play a part in, when a major financial collapse is about to take place--but that does not make me a socialist. And no matter where my views are, I don't have to have my way on everything--and many of our members of Congress need to learn that they can't have their way on everything--that they may one day have to actually compromise and work together to get something needed done for the people!
We need to lower the degree of harshness and intenseness. We need to stop questioning each other's motives and suggesting that those who may disagree with us are just bad people!
Both George W. Bush and Barack Obama both promised to "change the tone" in Washington. But reality is, under both presidents--we are more divided than we've ever been! Let us learn to sit down at the table of brotherhood and actually learn from each other and consider each other's views. What do we have to lose? ITS TIME TO CHANGE THE TONE!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
SEEKING COMMON GROUND
In my quest and desire to encourage Democrats and Republicans to sit down and listen to each other more, to emphathize more, and get better at questioning differing policies and views while not questioning each other's motives--I will say I have A LONG WAYS TO GO! But thats ok--I persevere because our nation, state, and community is worth the effort!
Recently I challenged the presidents of the Mesquite Republican and Democratic Clubs to sit down with each other and look to find common ground--and for their respective clubs to sit down once a year and break bread together and to participate in a community project together. This has not happened yet, but I will keep urging such communication and efforts.
There are great needs and challenges our nation and communities face! There is nothing wrong with citizens having differing views and opposing ideas. But there is something wrong when problems remain unsolved because those in political power in both major political parties refuse to work together. There was a time when partisanship ended at the water's edge in this country. Today, most Democrats and Republicans in politics--whether elected or not elected--DON'T EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER!!! Thats sad!
Let us remember, that in many of our nation's previous wars--many Democrats and Republicans fought side by side and gave their lives on the battlefield because they both loved their nation, they both loved freedom, and they both believed in the Constitution--though they may have had some differing politcal views.
We would do good to follow in their footsteps! Learning to find common ground and work together to do the people's business--doesn't mean we have to give up our core beliefs and values or compromise on principle. But it does mean we have to listen to each other, try to empathize with one another, and care about the common good of the nation and our communities before partisan politics.
We are a good and great nation. We can do better! I believe our greatest days are ahead! But we have to stop shouting at each other and hating each other and start listening and caring for one another.
God bless the United States of America and all the communities within our nation.
Recently I challenged the presidents of the Mesquite Republican and Democratic Clubs to sit down with each other and look to find common ground--and for their respective clubs to sit down once a year and break bread together and to participate in a community project together. This has not happened yet, but I will keep urging such communication and efforts.
There are great needs and challenges our nation and communities face! There is nothing wrong with citizens having differing views and opposing ideas. But there is something wrong when problems remain unsolved because those in political power in both major political parties refuse to work together. There was a time when partisanship ended at the water's edge in this country. Today, most Democrats and Republicans in politics--whether elected or not elected--DON'T EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER!!! Thats sad!
Let us remember, that in many of our nation's previous wars--many Democrats and Republicans fought side by side and gave their lives on the battlefield because they both loved their nation, they both loved freedom, and they both believed in the Constitution--though they may have had some differing politcal views.
We would do good to follow in their footsteps! Learning to find common ground and work together to do the people's business--doesn't mean we have to give up our core beliefs and values or compromise on principle. But it does mean we have to listen to each other, try to empathize with one another, and care about the common good of the nation and our communities before partisan politics.
We are a good and great nation. We can do better! I believe our greatest days are ahead! But we have to stop shouting at each other and hating each other and start listening and caring for one another.
God bless the United States of America and all the communities within our nation.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
WHY SO LITTLE GETS DONE
Happy Independence Day everyone! We often see on the news shows, how there is so much fighting and ugliness in Congress and how so often when important issues are on the table that our nation desperately needs results on--OFTEN NOTHING GETS DONE!
I believe deeply, that it is because all we do is shout and hate and close our minds and really don't much care about our fellow citizens and our nation--we just want what we want and to hell with everyone else! No, I don't think this is reflective of everyone in politics--but it is indeed a problem our nation faces.
Whether it is financial reform, healthcare, foreign policy, campaign finance reform, immigration reform to name a few--often nothing gets done because each side has too much of an "ALL OR NOTHING ATTITITUDE!"
All throughout our nation's history, there has always been partisan wrangling and tough fights--dating back really to just a short time into Washington's first term--as he bitterly fought having political parties--but by 1800--it was a reality. The famous and controversial election of 1800 put party politics squarely before the nation with Jefferson and Madison's Democratic Republicans versus Adams and Hamilton's Federalists (although Adams and Hamiliton hated each other.)
But whether it was Whigs working with Democratic President Polk in the war with Mexico or War Democrats working with Republican President Lincoln during the Civil War or Democrats like Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson and House Speaker Sam Rayburn working with a Republican President Dwight Eisenhower to build a national highway system--often both sides have worked together to get things done for our nation and its people! Not so much so today.
I believe the first thing that needs to change--is that partsian politics needs to take a step back! I am not suggesting that we end the two party system per say. But for sure--THE TWO PARTIES NEED TO START TALKING MORE ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN AGREE ON AND WHAT THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER INSTEAD OF CONSTANTLY FOCUSING ON THE NEXT ELECTION!!!!!
For this to happen, cooler heads of wisdom and calm leadership need to push out the extremists in both parties. Former Senator Barry Goldwater though a great American--was simply wrong when he said at the 1964 GOP National Convention "Extremism in the defense of Liberty is no vice." Anytime we have to yell and hate each other--that is too extreme! The nation gets hurt when that happens! The "Tea Partyers" who are cozied up to the Republican Party and the "Greens" and "Ultra Left Wingers" who cozy up to the Democratic Party both ultimately hurt the debate on important issues. This whole "NO COMPROMISE" thing both sides have going--IS NOT AMERICAN! Such is not the precedent of the rich and great history of our nation! And let me add--that the old days of often times not being able to tell the difference between a Republican or Democratic politician when it comes to both selling out to special interests is not what we are looking for either!
And whether its George W. Bush or Barack Obama, if those presidents are not doing anything that is impeachable or illegal--then making statements like "they should be removed from office" or other hateful statements really just hurt the nation! We should always still respect the office, even if we don't like the man. I often did not agree with President Bush's domestic policies and a few of his foreign policy decisions--but he was always "my" president. The first 9 months of his presidency, I was pretty irritated with him--but on the days following 9/11--I loved him and prayed for him daily! I don't always agree with President Obama, but he is our president and has incredibly difficult decisions to make daily and he walked into office with a very complex and difficult set of national problems--and he needs our prayers and support. Support does not mean agreeing with him all the time, but it does mean toning down the hate and rhetoric. Same to those who are beyond the "Moderate Democrat" label--but who are far left to the core--bashing and making fun of Americans who are conservative in their religious and moral values and have deep beliefs on issues like abortion and same sex marraige--lets tone down the harshness and disrespect. There are many good citizens who vote more Republican and conservative who are not out in the streets shouting racial epitaphs or throwing bricks into windows like we recently saw at some of the Tea Party rallies.
Whether a politician is a Republican or a Democrat, both should be men or women of the highest integrity, be Americans first, and look out for the interests of their constituents before the wishes of their political party. Which means at some point, we are going to have to really get serious about doing something about campaign finance reform. At some point, we need to level the playing field of political campaigns. From the way we gerry mander to the way campaigns are financed, too often congressional and state legislative races are usually a foregone conclusion of who will win simply because of how the districts are written and where the money comes from.
What if we had a system in place, where campaign money was publicly financed (it could be paid for in a way that does not hurt taxpayers)--where the top two candidates are given a budget of equal amounts and those candidates actually have to really work neighborhoods, go to local debates and forums and share their beliefs and ideas with voters--instead of everything being done with slick mail and tv ads?
And with regards to everyone shouting at each other--what if both major polical parties--made a committment to start talking to each other more? What if starting at the top--the National Republican and Democratic Party leadership met at least once a year to talk about issues they could agree on and work together on? What if then the leaders of each of the state party leaderships on both sides met at least once a year to do the same? What if then all the local county and municipal party leaderships or clubs started meeting at least once a year to discuss needs of the community where they could work together?
What if in Mesquite, Texas--the local Republican Club sat down and broke bread with the local Democratic Club at least once a year--and committed to working together on a local project where there was a real need that needed to be met? Maybe helping Mesquite Social Services or helping some of our poorest kids have back to school supplies or helping widows whose homes are in disrepair? And what if in that time, friendships were made and people from very differing political and other views began to at least understand each other a little better and could find some areas of common ground that would ultimately better our community, state, and nation?
Is that such a crazy thought?
Lets have a conversation.
I believe deeply, that it is because all we do is shout and hate and close our minds and really don't much care about our fellow citizens and our nation--we just want what we want and to hell with everyone else! No, I don't think this is reflective of everyone in politics--but it is indeed a problem our nation faces.
Whether it is financial reform, healthcare, foreign policy, campaign finance reform, immigration reform to name a few--often nothing gets done because each side has too much of an "ALL OR NOTHING ATTITITUDE!"
All throughout our nation's history, there has always been partisan wrangling and tough fights--dating back really to just a short time into Washington's first term--as he bitterly fought having political parties--but by 1800--it was a reality. The famous and controversial election of 1800 put party politics squarely before the nation with Jefferson and Madison's Democratic Republicans versus Adams and Hamilton's Federalists (although Adams and Hamiliton hated each other.)
But whether it was Whigs working with Democratic President Polk in the war with Mexico or War Democrats working with Republican President Lincoln during the Civil War or Democrats like Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson and House Speaker Sam Rayburn working with a Republican President Dwight Eisenhower to build a national highway system--often both sides have worked together to get things done for our nation and its people! Not so much so today.
I believe the first thing that needs to change--is that partsian politics needs to take a step back! I am not suggesting that we end the two party system per say. But for sure--THE TWO PARTIES NEED TO START TALKING MORE ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN AGREE ON AND WHAT THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER INSTEAD OF CONSTANTLY FOCUSING ON THE NEXT ELECTION!!!!!
For this to happen, cooler heads of wisdom and calm leadership need to push out the extremists in both parties. Former Senator Barry Goldwater though a great American--was simply wrong when he said at the 1964 GOP National Convention "Extremism in the defense of Liberty is no vice." Anytime we have to yell and hate each other--that is too extreme! The nation gets hurt when that happens! The "Tea Partyers" who are cozied up to the Republican Party and the "Greens" and "Ultra Left Wingers" who cozy up to the Democratic Party both ultimately hurt the debate on important issues. This whole "NO COMPROMISE" thing both sides have going--IS NOT AMERICAN! Such is not the precedent of the rich and great history of our nation! And let me add--that the old days of often times not being able to tell the difference between a Republican or Democratic politician when it comes to both selling out to special interests is not what we are looking for either!
And whether its George W. Bush or Barack Obama, if those presidents are not doing anything that is impeachable or illegal--then making statements like "they should be removed from office" or other hateful statements really just hurt the nation! We should always still respect the office, even if we don't like the man. I often did not agree with President Bush's domestic policies and a few of his foreign policy decisions--but he was always "my" president. The first 9 months of his presidency, I was pretty irritated with him--but on the days following 9/11--I loved him and prayed for him daily! I don't always agree with President Obama, but he is our president and has incredibly difficult decisions to make daily and he walked into office with a very complex and difficult set of national problems--and he needs our prayers and support. Support does not mean agreeing with him all the time, but it does mean toning down the hate and rhetoric. Same to those who are beyond the "Moderate Democrat" label--but who are far left to the core--bashing and making fun of Americans who are conservative in their religious and moral values and have deep beliefs on issues like abortion and same sex marraige--lets tone down the harshness and disrespect. There are many good citizens who vote more Republican and conservative who are not out in the streets shouting racial epitaphs or throwing bricks into windows like we recently saw at some of the Tea Party rallies.
Whether a politician is a Republican or a Democrat, both should be men or women of the highest integrity, be Americans first, and look out for the interests of their constituents before the wishes of their political party. Which means at some point, we are going to have to really get serious about doing something about campaign finance reform. At some point, we need to level the playing field of political campaigns. From the way we gerry mander to the way campaigns are financed, too often congressional and state legislative races are usually a foregone conclusion of who will win simply because of how the districts are written and where the money comes from.
What if we had a system in place, where campaign money was publicly financed (it could be paid for in a way that does not hurt taxpayers)--where the top two candidates are given a budget of equal amounts and those candidates actually have to really work neighborhoods, go to local debates and forums and share their beliefs and ideas with voters--instead of everything being done with slick mail and tv ads?
And with regards to everyone shouting at each other--what if both major polical parties--made a committment to start talking to each other more? What if starting at the top--the National Republican and Democratic Party leadership met at least once a year to talk about issues they could agree on and work together on? What if then the leaders of each of the state party leaderships on both sides met at least once a year to do the same? What if then all the local county and municipal party leaderships or clubs started meeting at least once a year to discuss needs of the community where they could work together?
What if in Mesquite, Texas--the local Republican Club sat down and broke bread with the local Democratic Club at least once a year--and committed to working together on a local project where there was a real need that needed to be met? Maybe helping Mesquite Social Services or helping some of our poorest kids have back to school supplies or helping widows whose homes are in disrepair? And what if in that time, friendships were made and people from very differing political and other views began to at least understand each other a little better and could find some areas of common ground that would ultimately better our community, state, and nation?
Is that such a crazy thought?
Lets have a conversation.
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