Maybe you readers might be a more of a “motley
group of discontents and zealots” than you think you are. Just maybe.
You just don’t know it! ha
ha Some of you might think I’m targeting
you (i.e. trying to hit you in your head); I am not. I am actually poking fun
of myself as I really am two-faced a.k.a. a hypocrite) sometimes even when I
don’t realize it. AverageJoe says--Throw the flag on erv (i.e. I probably
deserve it)! Hey, I realize that not all of you see things the same as me.
Soooo folks, have you ever flown in first class? I have never (i.e. I fly economy). But if you are in the “diamond medallion tier
class” with Delta, you probably have (i.e. you are an elite person). Delta will treat you very special as you
spend a lot of money with them (i.e. you get a lot of perks). Sooooo if you are in a care facility and your
stay is paid by the government or if you pay your own way, should you have
different treatment (i.e. most will probably say—no way, that’s not right) especially if you are getting your stay paid by the government, which is
usually a lessor amount paid to the care facility than a person who pays their
own way). Others who pay their own way might think differently (i.e. it might
depend which side of the fence you are on). JoeBlow says—I think all care
facilities and college education, and medical care, and “55 and over gated
retirement communities” should all be free; I really like that idea (i.e.
especially since I don’t have any money)! Like I said—Not all of you will agree
with JoeBlow. Seeee!
America has a democratic form of government (i.e. the
majority rules). Sooooo if the majority
of the government (i.e. you the people) want all that stuff free, well, we
probably will have all those things free. Of course, our form of government
could change. Dan Quayle said—“I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward
more freedom and democracy – but that could change.” Or if the majority don’t want it that way,
then the U.S. won’t have it that way. Or we might have a hybrid a.k.a. a compromise. It’s America folks. From what I read, this is a world issue (i.e.
at least in countries where there are some freedoms). Also, history shows that when the pendulum
swings toooo far one way, there are revolts, take overs, civil wars etc. It
appears to me that if the ultra-rich would allow the middle class and the poor
class to make a living, they still can remain ultra-rich. History reveals that there was always poor and even Jesus said there would always be poor. But if the rich don't take care of the poor, I think past history
shows that the poor might revolt and kill all the rich or something like that (i.e. I
think I remember that from World History class at good ol’ Danube High that the
French did that years ago). Do you
remember that (i.e. ol’ Danube High was a long time ago)? And I always didn’t pay attention in class
(i.e. Coach Black can testify to that). LuckieEddie says—The world is way
different now; that would never happen now. My mentor would say to me—erv, the
Golden rule is to treat others like you would like to be treated but the real
meaning is, gold rules.
CadillacJack says--There is no reason for gated communities
with security protection if everyone and anyone can be in the community. That
is why there are different classes of communities. Some of you might think that is unfair;
everyone should have the same opportunity.
Well, probably that to some degree will depend which side of the fence
you are on. Could be and maybe not! A
friend told me about 2 of his friends who just did their income taxes. One made an income that he could support
himself after taxes and the other one made a much lesser amount but was given
“income tax credit” in which the government pays them money. They both ended up
having the same net income. Are you
opposed to that? I don’t know if I
am! I will have to think about that
(i.e. or as a friend says—incubate on that).
There is good and bad on both sides of the fence. I know of a personal
example (i.e. a good person) that I think it is ok. Maybe moved them up form “no fly to economy
class.
I talked to a real expert in this dilemma. This person as a
child was on public assistance but has really done well for themselves. I asked them what they thought of this. They told me that there is a difference
between needs and wants. At some point
folks need to learn to provide for themselves; they can’t live on hand outs for
ever. This person somehow took advantage
of opportunities and has really done well (i.e. I’m proud of this person). This
person has some drive or something. Not
everyone has this it appears. I asked this person how this experience has
affected them. They said—I don’t want
our children to experience what I experience; it is a great motivator for me.
But what does society owe to everyone? Does society need to offer
opportunities to all? I think soooo maybe, at least to some degree. I was
raised in a “not to be able to fly class.” I had a good life with adequate living
with never really being without (i.e. as far as I knew at that time). But because of some opportunities given me
(i.e. some just fell in my lap), my life has changed (i.e. gave me many
options—now I can fly economy). I don’t
want to forget this. I think it’s
important that we give folks opportunities to “fly economy or even first
class.” I do; I really do (i.e. my opinion). Give folks an opportunity to get bumped
up; I think soooo! Again, some of you disagree with me and others think we need
to give more opportunities to the under privileged and poor. We just don’t all think alike.
Well flip the pancake!
Many of you are very generous with your time, talents, and money in
helping others. Yes, you are; I know
that. I was reminded recently by the generosity of how some neat folks who helped
a family of a friend of one of their children; very touching. And there are others who don’t want anything
to do with this but are only concerned about themselves.
Think about this—Most of us are just
several generations beyond immigrants that came to the U.S. (i.e. all my
grandparents/great grandparents were immigrants from Holland). Most were dead
broke; I mean poor. They were risk takers, some were given opportunities, and
many worked very hard (i.e. they were tough old birds to say the least). That’s
not really toooo long ago. Because of our
past generations, many folks would not have their financial situation as they
do today (i.e. live in gated communities and be able to fly). If some folks were of a different family, it
would not be as near as pretty let me tell ya or if they were of another
family, their life would be a lot prettier, maybe. SusieQ says—Sooooo to some
of you, maybe don’t get your noses soooo high in the air.
WildWille says—I have a lot of money and I don’t like this
talk at all. MissPerfect says—I have no
money and I don’t like this talk at all.
Hey, it all maybe depends what side of the fence we are on. Don’t kid yourself, it probably makes a big
difference. Com’on folks, much of what we think is based on our current
environment or our past environment. If
you are receiving a subsidy of some kind or have received a subsidy, you want
to give it up? Can you complain about
someone else who is getting one when you are getting one or have in your past?
I heard what Charles Barkley said on Inside the NBA the
other night. They were kidding him that
he doesn’t know how to use Netflix. Then
they said—You probably don’t even know how to use an ATM. He said—What would I want with $200! See it all depends which side of the fence we
are on. Barkley makes between $5 to $7 million a year and has a net worth of
approximately $40 million. Sooo he is
probably right, what is $200.
I was jogging the other day and went past a mobile
home. The person who lived in there at
one time taught me a lesson. When I
retired from business, I did some subbing at our schools (i.e. my motive was I
thought I could help some kids). One day
we used the lap top computers. When we
got done, I counted them to make sure they all were there but this kid, who use
to live in this mobile home, stole one after I counted them. The next day the regular teacher called me
and asked about it. I didn’t know and
told her what I knew. The other kids
knew he stolen it but at first didn’t squeal.
They got the law enforcement in and charged him with theft. I learned that I was way toooo trustworthy; I
needed to spend more time covering my butt than teaching (i.e. maybe had to be
more of a jerk— but my motive was to help).
I didn’t like that. I think
teachers do that a lot in most schools.
Do you think some schools are different that others? Do you think private schools have as many
problems? Why?
Frustrated but fascinated!
I was frustrated in trying to help these students in that most didn’t
respond (i.e. my expectations were higher).
I think I could have really helped many of them (i.e. I was willing). But I was also quite fascinated by some who
bought into me offering advice of my life’s experiences (i.e. we developed good
relationships). I sorta kinda forgot
about them until now; some of them even invited me to their graduation
parties. But in retrospect, the numbers
were skewed; very few of “the no-fly class” students responded compared to the
“economy class” or “first class.”
Actually, the ones who I could of helped the most, rejected my help the
most.
I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on
it--The Bible calls people sheep. As Jesus moved throughout the towns of
Israel, preaching and ministering, He saw people who seemed to be wandering
through life without a divine Shepherd. And “He was moved with compassion for
them, because they were weary and scattered” (Matthew 9:36). These were the
very people He came into the world to save, people who were disconnected from
the love of God. And Jesus’ compassion prompted Him to action—He raised up
workers to take His reconciling Gospel into the world. Let your love manifest
itself in compassion and let compassion result in action on behalf of those in
need.
Ok, I struggle with this issue at times; yes, I do. If I am a Christian or even if I wasn’t, the
struggle might be the same. Jesus spend
a lot of time with the riffraff (i.e. the tax collectors and sinners) while the
Pharisees and teacher of the law a.k.a. church leaders didn’t want to have
nuttin to do with him or the riffraff (i.e. pretty smug). Hey, Arlene and I enjoyed the gated
communities when we wintered in the South (i.e. very comfortable). And when I was in business, I really enjoyed
it when our vendors and friends would invite us to play their private, elite
golf courses at their Country Clubs (i.e. some were gated—extremely “first
class”). They were very nice (i.e. plush
and exquisite) and we were treated like kings.
We loved it. It surely beats playing the municipals with a coupon out of
the paper for a dollar off with a free soft drink when you play before noon;
it’s where anyone can play (i.e. flying economy)! See, I’m two faced (i.e. a
real hypocrite)! I get tired of this perpetual conflict. This is what “the projected King David, according
to the bracketologists,” said:
Have you ever been ashamed of yourself? GeorgeTheCrook says--erv, cut that out! Don’t try to get in my head. Don’t try to challenge me. Don’t make me think about my motives in life.
Mr.Official—Throw erv out of the game; he’s ruining my pleasure; get him out of
here!
You readers might be incongruously varied in appearance or
character or thinking; very possible. I really think soooo; maybe. What do you think? That is what I thought.
Listen folks, we are blessed to be a blessing (i.e. my opinion). Hey, some of you won’t understand that and
others will think differently. Such is
life.
Oh by the way--If I offended any of you like a "bomb cyclone" in anyway by this "It's Saturday"--It isn't what I meant to do (i.e. political verbiage); you just misunderstood me (i.e. political verbiage). ha ha
Oh by the way--If I offended any of you like a "bomb cyclone" in anyway by this "It's Saturday"--It isn't what I meant to do (i.e. political verbiage); you just misunderstood me (i.e. political verbiage). ha ha
Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:
erv
MyFriendJean says—You never know what a man and a mule can
do—until you give them a field to plow.
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