Two halves of the country...what if I don't belong to either?

So we sit back and watch as pundits simplify the process into neat segments of the voting population.The loser gives the same old speech about overcoming a hard fought battle and unifying the country to move forward.  The victor follows and gives essentially the same tired speech.  It's all rhetoric because we all know how divided this country is and how little this dysfunctional government can accomplish.

I'm jaded.  I lean Republican but I am very disappointed with how they posture and ignore and miscalculate issues like immigration, defense, income inequality, and science.  I typically don't lean towards Democratic issues because I don't believe that the Government can and should to to interfere in most economic, social, and welfare issues.  Despite that I did inspired by the message shared by Obama in 08', enough so that I even wrote about it here.

Here we are four years later and those once great speeches about Hope and Change now ring hollow.  Under his leadership the only things that have really grown are fingerpointing, debt, and division.  Sure the economy, mainly reflected in the stock market, is doing better then 08' but how could it not?  Also, there is nothing that tells me we have long term prospects for growth. The man who was supposed to transcend the political malaise has become just another mudslinger except with super cool Hollywood sycophants.

But the blame isn't solely with the people wearing the blue ties.  The obstructionist, stop it at all costs Republican party blew their chance to make a case to a weary people.  Many folks, due to the circumstances, were ready to listen to a feasible alternative.  All you gave us was a message hijacked by the Evangelicals and Tea Party wing of the party.  You have done a horrible job articulating a conservative and federalist alternative to big government.  You have isolated huge groups of the population with views that are out of date (i.e. Immigration, Climate Change)  Your rigid stance on Moral issues such as Gay Marriage puts the next generation of voters further out of reach.  In short you've created a huge loser by refusing to even compromise on some issues to get work done.

I know that I am not alone in being jaded with both parties.  Both are corrupted, bloated, and beguiled by powerful special interests.  Both parties speak empty words to disguise their corruption. I yearn for a third way. The closest alternative for me is the Libertarian party.  If we can get enough people to push for a third alternative maybe we can send some kind of shock to Washington.  The decay back there is so rancid that it will only take something radical to be the real Change that has alluded Mr. Obama.

I love America but I absolutely hate the direction that she has been taken.

Rome in America. (Part III)

I am continually fascinated by Roman history, particularly the exceptionally tumultuous period when the Republic was usurped by Imperial rule. I can't help but wonder if this specific period has the potential to be echoed in our contemporary American experience.

Specifically, I am interested in the decline of virtue and its impact on society. The period right before and during Caesar's rise, reign, and assassination saw an increased abandonment of the core principles, values, and responsibilities that girded the Roman Republic. The following is an apt description of the times.

"As soon as riches came to be held in honor, when glory, dominion, and power followed in their train, virtue began to lose its luster, poverty to be considered a disgrace, blamelessness to be termed malevolence. Therefore...riches, luxury, and greed, united with insolence, took possession of our young manhood. They pillaged, squandered; set little value on their own, coveted the goods of others; they disregarded modesty, chastity, everything human and divine; in short they were utterly thoughtless and reckless."
-Sallust

Now you can understand why people like Cato were so ticked. But doesn't that also sound like today in America? Causes, unity, and respect have given away to TMZ, boorishness, selfishness, self indulgence, and laziness. We've gone from the "Greatest Generation" to "Generation X" in less than 40 years. I don't want to be the bum who says that the sky is falling but I can't help but look at the above quote and think it does such a good job of encapsulating one of the big causes to the fall of one Republic and the weakening of another modern one.

I might have found a political home...maybe

Like many Americans I am experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. The direction and policies of the Democrats and Republicans have forced us into a wilderness of disenfranchised despair. The only thing that I can say without equivocation or hesitation is that the leadership in both parties are a bunch dipsticks. They both treat government like a giant feed trough that can be used for enriching their bank accounts, buying off key constituents, and keeping themselves employed.

This despair almost turned into complete apathy until I read Crunchy Cons by Rod Dreher. The book was a revelation and helped me understand that I am not alone. There are legions of fairly conservative people like me who are equally dismayed at the greed, superficiality, lack of direction, and pettiness of those Republican officials who squandered the last decade and lost Congress. According to the book there is a rapidly growing sub culture within the conservative movement that is quite different from the established base. Hopefully this movement will grow to the point where it can help in shaping the direction of the party.

So what is a Crunchy Con? And how is it different from your typical White, Dockers wearing, suburbanite McMansion Republican? Here are a few key differentiators.

1. A Crunchy Con cares about the environment but isn't a nut about it. We are the stewards of the earth and we have the responsibility to ensure its enjoyment for future generations. The earth is full of many resources for our benefit but not exploitation.
2. Crunchy Cons have faith but typically aren't your standard "Christian Right" variety. Read the book for a better description.
3. A Crunchy Con is productive and likes the good things in life but isn't as driven by money and accumulation of things, one of the traditional attributes that detractors use when describe the typical Republican. He would prefer a cottage in the city over a large house in cookie cutter suburban neighborhood because he values diversity and authenticity.
4. The Crunchy Con has culture and, while they love the American experiment, they see the value and beauty of the rest of the world. They value authenticity and originality over the local mall.
   
5. The Crunchy Con is a capitalist but he things Gordon Gekko is a bum. The free market is good but not perfect. Markets do need some regulation and oversight to keep the greediest lot from raping the rest of the population.

After reading the book I would say that my political views share a lot of similarities with your standard Crunchy Con. If I had to assign a U.S. figure as a standard bearer for this movement it would have to be Teddy Roosevelt. He was a good Republican figure who was also progressive on the right things.

So my apathy towards Politicians, Republicans in particular, has been slightly assuaged. I take heart in knowing that there are legions like me who see the ugliness of the state of the current party and politics in general. There are groups, like the Crunchy Cons, that I can associate with in my effort to push for positive change in our politics.

Goldman Sucks?

The news and our neighborhoods continue to be littered with stories of unemployment, foreclosure, and uncertainty. So it came came as complete surprise when I recently read about Goldman Sachs having an incredible quarter and being poised to pay its employees $18 billion in bonuses and other compensation. Wait???? Weren't banks and speculators primary players in the recent crash? What???? Weren't these same banks and speculators the same people who were reeling and receiving government TARP funds just a few short months ago?

On the surface this seems downright evil.....evil in a greedy villain from a James Bond movie sort of way. And after reading this extraordinary piece by Matt Taibbi in the Rolling Stone my populist impulses were directing me to the nearest hardware store for a pitchfork and torch. Now I normally don't buy into this leftist crap and I normally don't buy into conspiracy theories involving uber powerful greedy, global cabals but the article was so detailed and researched.

These accusations were so incredible that you would think that, if true, they would strike a powerful chord within the American mainstream and that we could demand real change. I started with the Goldman Annual report from 2008 in search of answers. I see wild swings in profitability and cash and it all looks odd. I read more pieces from the New York Times and CNN and my blood really starts to boil. I delve deeper by reading the blog of a man who is trying to shed some public light on their deeds and who Goldman is trying to shut down. I read some counter pieces that defend Goldman from being behind the creation of the bubbles (Tech, Mortgage, Commodities, and soon- Environmental caps) but don't do much in making a defense against the claim that they deliberately profited from the expansion and destruction of those bubbles.

This is going to take a few days to really get my head around. Is this evidence of unbridled greed that needs to be reigned in for the sake of the better overall good? Is this evidence that capitalism is working again? Is it both? I plan to read arguments on both sides.

In the meantime here is what I don't understand. These bankers don't necessarily create value, they throw money behind the people who do. They're not building sky scrapers, they're not creating new innovative products, they are not growing the crops that feed our families. They just seem to gain insane profits by profiting from those who do. These investment banks don't do anything other then control the flow of vast amounts of capital and the levers on which money moves. They create fancy derivatives and securities that profit off of the comings and goings of real tangible value.

And they create incredible wealth and power for themselves. I remember at BYU when it came time for the Career Fair. The biggest lines were always for the investment banks and consulting firms. Like the pied piper they would lure away throngs of smart and ambitious grads with stories of untold wealth. There was a mention of 80 hour work weeks and the fact that you would sacrifice your first 5 or 8 years for the benefit of your career. But once you paid your dues you would have enough money to buy a golden chariot for you and your family....given that your family was still in tact after 8 years of spending every waking hour with the bank and not many moments with them.

Do I seem pretty biased at the moment? Yes. Can that change? Yes. I'm all for free markets and capitalism. But right now my gut is telling me that what some of these banks have been doing these past several years doesn't jibe with the brand of capitalism that made America the force that it once was. My head is telling me that the environment that they fostered did more to destroy value within our economy then to create it.

Time and research will tell. But in the meantime this has the makings of an incredible conspiracy theory.

Immigration Post #1: The Mexican Perspective

They brave an arduous journey across a treacherous desert with only a few possessions and the blind faith in the prospects for a better life. In their ignorance they give their meager earnings to a man, called "El Coyote", who promises to take them safely across the desert and into a community with a job and stability. In reality they become hostages to a treacherous underworld that is exacerbated by a criminal element and allowed to operate by an inept domestic legal system.

These people will live in a drop house and share a room with 5 or 6 other anonymous Mexicans who are also searching for the same stability. They are virtual hostages to the Coyotes who control the trade of human smuggling. Their families are threatened back home if they act out of line. Their conditions are deplorable. Their rights are minimal. The houses in which they live are a blight upon communities throughout the U.S. And they are more then willing to put up with all of this so that they can make $10 a day trimming the bushes in your backyard.

Who are these people?
What are their motivations?
Why do they risk so much to get so little in return?

The following numbers taken from the Pew Hispanic Center are a staggering reminder that we are literally sitting on top of a powder keg. If we are unable to answer and address those questions above we will have little luck in dealing with an issue that is becoming larger by the minute.

• There are 12.7 million Mexican immigrants in the U.S. as of 2008. They are 32% of all immigrants. The next largest group, Filipinos, trails at a distant 5%.
• About 11% of everyone born in Mexico is in the U.S.
  
• 59% of all illegal immigrants are Mexican nationals. 76% of all illegal immigrants are of Hispanic descent.
  
• The graph below visually depicts the astounding growth of this group over the recent years. No fancy regression analysis is needed to determine where that line will be in several years given current patterns.

Those numbers highlight a monumental seismic shift that is taking place in regards to the demographics of the United States. It doesn't take a high priced study to tell us this when all we need to do is drive over to the nearest home center. The Hispanic, particularly, Mexican neighborhoods are becoming an increasingly bigger part of the community. Depending on your perspective this number represents the demise of the American way of life or the fruition of the grand American dream.

That is a debate for another entry. Right now I want to focus on the Mexicans who are willing to sacrifice everything to come here and take a job that most Americans find demeaning. We are taught that to fully understand an issue we must understand the perspective of the other side. Here is the point of view from that other side.

The numbers for Mexico are more difficult to nail down. Any quoted numbers will come from the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Geografia (INEGI) of Mexico. This is the Mexican equivalent of our US Census Bureau. Their numbers are widely considered unreliable. I will primarily use anecdotal information and observations to color my depiction. I will use numbers, where possible, to back up observations and assertions.

Now lets move on to those questions regarding who they are and what motivates them.

To the typical US citizen "these people" are just another group of Mexicans. It is a lot easier to lump them together into one uniform group. But beneath the surface Mexico, like any other large nation, has a complex cultural and demographic milieu that should be understood. Mexico is a nation of over 106 million people, why are over 11% of their population fleeing their nation. Are they fleeing? Let's look at a few things.

Mexico is a nation of huge economic disparity. The wealthiest 10% of the nation controls around 50% of the wealth. Did you know that the richest man in the world, Carlos Slim, is Mexican? This is the land of the "Mordida" where corruption is not only rampant but an openly accepted cost of doing business. Those who are politically connected make all of the money. Those who aren't suffer and their only solace is the occasional bone thrown at them by the party in power, most notably PRI, to placate them and prevent another revolution. Credit doesn't really exist. A middle class doesn't really exist. As a Mexican you are either born into wealth, exercise corruption for a living, or you accept your lowly station in life. While there are a notable exceptions to this rule there is little infrastructure in place for the typical industrious Mexican to get a head.

Mexico is also a nation of huge racial disparity. Race and wealth go hand in hand in Mexico. The lighter your skin the better off you are. The indigenous or indian populations are among the poorest in the world. The largest concentrations of these populations are in Southern Mexico in states such as Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas. As expected these are the poorest states in Mexico. Despite superficial attempts made by the government towards greater equality these groups still languish in poverty. They are poorly educated because most children, out of necessity, are forced to work in substandard conditions in order to help sustain the essential needs of their families.

Mexico is also a nation of strong families and strong national pride. Their Catholic roots and lower economic conditions help explain the larger families. Their pride in a strange way stems from their long history with Spain and other invaders. They have long been a nation that has been exploited. Research the word "chingar" and you will have great insights into the Mexican psyche. The fact that they nationalized their oil away from US foreign corporations in the 1940's and that PEMEX is still state run in spite of economic common sense is directly attributed to their national pride and their defiance towards those foreign interests who once meddled in and sought to control their affairs.

These three characteristics go a long ways in helping us understand the circumstances behind their decision to live in these conditions on foreign soil. So a few observations that will generally be right regarding most Mexican immigrants.

1. They most likely are from the poorest communities in Mexico. As such there is a greater likelihood for illiteracy and low education.
2. They are most likely from the darker, mestizo, populations that are more predominant in Central and Southern Mexico.
3. A majority of the immigrants do not consider their status in the U.S. permanent. They are Mexican first and trying to work to send money home to their families. The US is a means to their financial ends.
   

What does the rest of Mexico think about this trend? I would venture a guess and say that they are somewhat relieved by massive emigration. Fewer mouths to feed, fewer jobs to fill, and fewer votes to buy. Since the vast majority of Mexican immigrants are poorer and uneducated there is no real concern for "brain drain". They typically aren't losing their engineers and doctors to America. They are losing a workforce for whom there is no work. Also if immigration is greatly reduced they potentially lose their 3rd largest source of income in the form of foreign remittances sent from the US to families in Mexico.

While this is a general brush stroke that barely scratches the surface of a more complex situation it does help provide a better picture to the immigration situation. Given the circumstances in Mexico I do not fault the actions of many to find work in the US. I am confident that many of us, if given a similar lot, would take a similar course. I hope to delve more into the Mexican perspective in a couple of more subsequent posts. There is still more to cover from this angle including the elusive question- Mexico has always been at an economic disadvantage to the U.S. so why have we seen such a drastic increase in Mexican immigration over the past few decades?

Understanding Immigration

Immigration and our relationship with our neighbors to the South (That's Mexico for those who are geographically challenged) are, in my opinion, among the most important issues that this nation faces and will continue to face in the coming years. Forget about terrorism abroad, the economy, health care, or our horrible cultural divide. While very important in their own right they get enough attention already. Also, our immigration situation and resulting policies permeate significantly in all of those issues.

I have lived in Mexico and have great empathy and understanding for their people and issues. I have also lived in several areas (Arizona and Texas specifically) that have been negatively affected by illegal immigration so I definitely understand the concerns of long standing citizens. I also am 100% confident that our current policies and attitudes towards this issue are completely inadequate.

I am in no way an expert on immigration policy, one could argue that there are very few, but I do feel like I have a practical knowledge of the key issues that shape both sides of the issues. I will attempt to write a series of entries that attempt to frame these key perspectives and hopefully make some recommendations that could help us out of the current immigration morass that we are currently mired in. This issue is just going to grow so I figure we really need to understand it and deal with it.

Over the next couple of months I will be writing entries. Since 32% of all immigrants are Mexican and 76% of all illegal immigrants are Mexican I want to focus my efforts exclusively on the Mexican-US dilemma when it comes to immigration. Here is a rough outline of what will be covered.

1. A profile of the typical Mexican immigrant and their US motivations.
2. A profile of the typical US resident and their concerns about immigration policy.
3. An outline of the current immigration policies and their strengths and weaknesses.
4. An outline of workable solutions that could improve our current immigration situation.

This is a dicey issue to navigate. Hopefully I can bring something constructive to the subject and hopefully immigration policy can be turned from a huge weakness to a national strength.

Distinguishing between Greed and Capitalism

It hasn't been a good several months for proponents of free markets, minimal government intervention, and deregulation. According to the pundits the current economic malaise that we are mired in is a direct result of a system that was unchecked and corrupt. Take a look around you and you are literally awash in examples of individual greed, corporate irresponsibility, and short sightedness. Here are just a few:

• Mr. Bernie Madoff creates an elaborate hedge fund that is nothing more then a Ponzi Scheme. He manages to to destroy $50 billion dollars and the financial security of thousands of lives before anyone is able investigate.
  
• The tarnished titans on Wall-Street who led the way in rampant risk taking accept government money and then continue to their lavish ways (bonuses, retreats, etc...) as if they were still living in 1999.
• Government officials and lobbyists beholden to the siren song of Saudi dollars. (Read "Sleeping with the Devil" for details)The very people on Capital Hill who condemn the acts of greed that take place on Wall Street are themselves getting kick backs from the special interests who pay for their votes.
  

We could literally fill up pages of stories like this. Tales of Enron only make it that much easier for the jaded public to accept possibilities of increased government intervention and populism. As someone who heeds the capitalist way I have to admit that these astonishing tales of corruption make me openly wonder if I should replace the pin stripes of those Brothers Brooks for the working man's trousers of the people.

I think that it is important that we all take a deep breath and not over react. I think we need to determine whether or not it is possible to separate the pillars of capitalism from its deranged brother-in-law, greed. Adam Smith taught us that it is the thousands of independent self interested people working to better their station that forms the invisible hand.

Is it wrong to want to take care of your family and get ahead?
Are there acceptable limits to greed?
Should we be compelled to share our abundancy with others?
What role should the government play in managing wealth distribution?

I don't know what to think. I know that I don't want half of my pay check going to a government that might use my money on programs that I don't agree with. I also think that corporate greed needs to be reigned in. It can safely be assumed that corporate ethics are a thing of the past. Short sighted self interest is a trait that is here to stay and firmly entrenched in our psyche. It's all about getting in getting rich and getting out. I even saw this tendency at BYU as hundreds of grads would line up to worship before the Gods of Goldman, Lehman, and Bain. The invisible hand of Mr. Smith has grown some serious nails that have become rather sharp and need to be trimmed.

So I humbly ask what needs to change in order for capitalism to be fixed? Can it be fixed or should we rely on government to reign in greed? But then again who is to say that the government doesn't become too greedy with its power?

I'm a fan of history and there's one thing that has remained constant. You truly can buy anything in this world with money. Everyone has a price. Best intentions can always be justified for the right pay off. Greed isn't just the American way, it's human nature.But greed has an especially firm grip on our nation right now. Right now it appears that individual Americans and entities are in the stranglehold. Since we can't trust government to loosen the grip are we capable of doing it ourselves?

These next few years will be very telling. It's a shame that I don't have a number for any good oracles because I'm anxious to see how this thing plays out. Thanks a lot Gordon Gekko. You suck. You've paved the way for another Wesley Mouch.

Setting politics aside to savor a seminal moment

It started like any other morning. The TV was turned on as I was going through the daily routine. Then everything changed. As expected the news coverage was all over the upcoming inauguration, only this time the electricity was more real and organic and less manufactured. I was instantly captivated and enthralled. A sudden anticipation enveloped me that can only be described as the giddy feelings that precede the rush down the stairs on Christmas morning or the hours before departing on your dream vacation. I dropped my morning work plans and started to anxiously pace around the living room listening and watching the coverage.

Is this odd? I didn't vote for Mr. Obama. Most of my political views do not correspond with what he proposed on the campaign trail. I still have my doubts about his ability to live up to the "messiah-like" expectations that the media and country have placed upon his shoulders. I wonder about the direction that he will take this country. But.....this morning none of that mattered. The traditional partisan spirit was suspended, at least temporarily, and we- the whole Nation- was experiencing a rare and incredibly positive moment together.

The feelings felt this morning transcend one person, narrow ideologies, or the Washington DC that we are normally fed on the evening news. The pride and humility felt this morning were based on a system of government that has stood the test of time. The feeling that knowing that your nation doesn't rest on one person or party; knowing that this system still is able to work despite the chaos that swirls around. I know that the rest of the world watched in envy as a deeply divided and bruised country came together to peacefully and seamlessly pass the torch of leadership on to a new regime.

It was a collectively cathartic moment for the nation as we saw President Bush welcome President Obama to the White House. At this moment there was no rancor but only a sense that we can appreciate a nation that can have two very different people at its helm. I really feel that both men have our best interests at heart. We have been given the great gift to start anew, a tabula rasa that can effectively destroy the partisan gridlock that is endemic in DC and get people working towards solutions and not payoffs. There is a palpable sense of goodwill and both sides need to seize it and move towards solutions that are less motivated by polls and interest groups.

There were also some incredibly candid and humanizing moments. I was amused when I saw Bush Sr. slap a Marine as he walked by him. I smiled when President Obama stumbled in repeating the Oath of Office. Our system is what is to be lauded and what is to be eternal. We are merely stewards to these noble ideals....and we are mortals and prone to human mistakes. Through it all there were smiles all around. Even President Obama was able to chuckle at his mistakes in following the incredibly formal protocol.

The speech was brillant. It addressed our current struggles but wasn't mired in policy detail. It was conveyed with the calm confidence that got this man elected. It spoke of unity and was driven with a strong sense of purpose. He spoke of the strides this country has made regarding the Civil Rights movement without making his speech and candidacy be solely about Civil Rights. He is bigger then one group or cause.

After the speech more formality and procedures. It seems like we have enough strange traditions and protocols to make ancient Rome look like a backyard barbecue. Quirky? Yes! But I'm glad we have these traditions. They are reminders of what we have come from. They should keep us grounded.

I had to get back to work and my day to day responsibilities. But I am forever grateful that I took the time to witness this event. I am once again reminded of the absolute blessing it is to live in this great nation. That in spite of all that divides us there is still a very strong common thread that keeps us together. We are a great nation and it is time for us to wake up again and reclaim our potential.

Transcript of Inaugural Speech

Looking to the past to help chart tommorrow's course

I am a big proponent of dredging the past for guidance and insights to issues and events that are unfolding in the present. You know what they say about history repeating itself. I firmly believe that there are enough moments throughout history that help form useful patterns that allow us to forecast how things will tend to play out.

With the recent events that have unfolded regarding proposition 8 and "gay marriage" I have started to search history in hopes of getting some insight. My church has been labeled as bigoted and hateful because of its support for the ban. This is a very "hot button" and fresh issue right now. This isn't going away and I want to be as informed as possible.

I've started to research the history of this topic with limited results. Despite the fact that outside of recent actions in Europe and Canada there doesn't seem to much of a precedent for formally accepting a gay marriage. Now homosexuality has permeated history and certain societies have had varying levels of tolerance regarding the practice but I have not found any group that ever gave a gay marriage equal standing as a traditional heterosexual marriage. If anyone finds anything different please let me know. If there ever was a society throughout history that allowed this it would be of monumental importance to see how it played out.

One thing that muddies up the water for my thoughts on this matter is the strong correlation that gay rights advocates are drawing between the Civil Rights movement and the quest for equal marriage rights. Does this assertion hold water or is it just exceptionally brilliant marketing? This is one area I would like to better understand. Is the right for a homosexual couple to marry and adopt children on the same fundamental level as the rights afforded to African Americans through the Civil Rights Act of 1964? I guess a lot of this depends on whether you feel that homosexuality is a behavior/trait or whether it is a fundamental part of who you are as a person.

Another area that needs to be considered is children. This is another area that I would like to better understand. Biology 101 teaches that it takes a man and women to form a child. Now I believe that mother nature created this structure for a reason and that children need parental figures in the form of both a mother and a father in order to be optimally raised. If there was one area that I would strongly side with traditional marriage it would be this. At the core, nuclear level a family consists of a child being taught and nurtured by a paternal and maternal influence. I do not believe that a homosexual couple can create those kind of optimal circumstances. Once again I would love to read up on this and get some kind of scientific study or historical precedent to help solidify my thoughts. Right now I'm going off my gut, what I see in nature, and several thousand years of accepted history.

This is an issue that isn't going away. I think it needs to be studied, discussed, and that both sides need to show respect. Accusation of sin, bigotry, and hatred only stand in the way of a meaningful dialogue and, in my opinion, only mask ignorance. As this post illustrates my thoughts on this matter are somewhat scattered and still gelling. Hopefully this helps me organize my thoughts, maybe find some kinship with other people who are likewise organizing their own, and start some kind of meaningful dialogue between two sides that seem worlds apart.


Authors Note: Like many people, particularly Mormons, I have been very interested in how this plays out. This interest is based on several factors including:

• History- I was thinking about the silent white majority during the Civil Rights movement. These were, for the most part, good people who were just victims of their time and almost universally held beliefs. I want to thoughtfully and prayerfully understand this history because I don't want my children to learn about how I was backwards and stood on the wrong side of history.
  
• Accusations of Bigotry- For whatever reason the church has taken the brunt of the backlash on this. I guess we are a much easier and politically friendly target then the droves of African Americans, Catholics, Evangelicals, Hispanics, Muslims, and other god fearing people who came out in droves to support the measure as well. When someone calls my church hateful and bigoted it grabs my attention. Why? Because those accusations don't square with the church that I've attended since a kid. I consistently learned about justice and the ten commandments and such but I also learned about love, forgiveness, and respecting those that don't hold your views or beliefs.
• Faith- I support this measure because I faithfully support my leaders whose guidance I believe is divinely supported. But it is hard to have a rational discussion when faith and God is brought into the mix. This is a very tough issue. I have to admit that a lot of my support is based on my faith in this church and its leadership. So I figure that by studying this out I can have a meaningful dialogue with a person who deals in fact and wants to only talk in a secular forum.
  

The Ryan Manifesto

Another political election fast approaches and our nation becomes more deeply mired in apathy, antagonism, and anger. The general populace aches for a return to past glory as our elected officials continue to bicker and feast on pork back in Washington. Our roads crumble, our infrastructure fails, our rights are hedged, our soldiers sent to fight unnecessary battles, our economy limps, our prices climb, our status plummets, and our future looks bleak.

This is not the country that I was raised to love. This is a country whose stewards have failed her. This is a country whose greatness has been covered in the tarnish of partisan politics and selfishness. Our politicians are experts in the art of pandering to special interests. Our citizens no longer ask what my country can do for me but what does my country owe me.
I, Ryan Jensen, can no longer tolerate this sad state of affairs. I write with the passion of a hundred furies and with the conviction of a believer. My vote is up for grabs and these are the conditions upon which I will consider your candidacy. I want my America back and I want its glory restored.

I. Limited Government- We are a nation of capable individuals. We are a nation buttressed by strong local and state governments. Our national government should protect our borders and our basic liberties. Our national government should ensure that commerce flourish under free and fair conditions. Our government should be doing anything that we can take care of ourselves and it should not be telling us how to live our lives.
II. Fiscal Responsibility- As a responsible individual I live within a budget. I know what my income is and if I purchase a fancy BMW I reduce my other expenditures so that my finances don’t bleed red ink. This simple principle seems lost on our politicians. We cannot be everything to everyone, regardless of how many votes can be won through pork barrel projects.
III. Diplomacy- Listen, we don’t have the exclusive rights to every virtue. Let’s talk to our neighbors throughout the world instead of walk over them. Much can be gained by seeking to understand their perspective. This doesn’t make us weak, it makes us wise.
IV. Inward Focus- We cannot police the world if we cannot even take care of ourselves. I do not want my tax dollars being spent to prop up some dictator some rat hole in Asia. I do not want dollars wasted abroad until our citizens at home are taken care of. The obvious exception to this would be humanitarian aid.
V. Education- Our schools lag behind those of the modern world. Our kids do not learn math and they are no longer taught the arts. No money is being spent to ensure that our students get the best education possible. Instead our teachers are being forced to teach to passing standardized tests. This is a no- brainer. Our nation’s ability to rise or fall depends on its citizens. Educated citizens make better citizens.
VI. Environmental Stewardship- I’m not a nut who wants to chain myself to a sycamore to prevent a housing development from starting. But I do believe that we need to take care of our land and to pay attention to the consequences of industrial progress. There’s nothing wrong with recycling and there’s nothing wrong in not developing all of the land in the hopes that it will be enjoyed for future generations.
VII. Energy Policy- We sent a man to the moon, we can certainly adopt an alternative fuel that is easier on our environment and doesn’t fill the pocketbooks of some sheik in Saudi Arabia. The technology is out there but the will to do so isn’t. I want someone who can take the reigns of leadership and push through a plan that gets us weaned off of foreign oil and into using an economical and environmentally friendly alternative.
VIII. Economy- The government should provide opportunities that benefit the innovative ideas of its citizens. The government should provide conditions for growth. The government should not villanize and over tax entities that provide an innovative product or service and make a profit. Free enterprise should be allowed to be free.
IX. Principled Leadership- Our leaders do not need to listen to focus groups in order to form an opinion. Our leaders should be transparent and consistent with their intentions. I do not want another leader who speaks to the other party as if they were bedeviled. I want our leaders to treat one another with respect.
X. Immigration Reform- Listen I understand the plight of the illegal immigrant. Their intentions are good. I also understand the complaints of the small local government whose resources are strained because they are being drained by people who aren’t contributing much to the tax base. But there is middle ground here. We don’t need a blanket amnesty program because it will just encourage more illegal immigration. We don’t need to criminalize these people and build a big wall either. We can revamp our system and make the pathway to citizenship easier. Let these people be contributing members of our society, no longer marginalized. I would much rather have a large Hispanic population that are happy and tax contributing US citizens then a group that is angry and forced into crime because they are not granted a far chance at equal status.

This is a simple and straightforward list. I join the millions of Americans who are absolutely fed up with the direction of our once great nation. We no longer are going to sit idly by as our politicians led us further down this road. My vote is up for grabs and if you can satisfy my demands I will gladly vote for you. Let all of us write our own manifestos and demand more of our government. This is a government by the people and for the people. Let our voices be heard!!!!

Patriot Games…thoughts from the 4th of July weekend

I’ve lived in Phoenix for several years now and I still haven’t gotten used to celebrating the 4th of July here. That is because we typically flee to the north for the holiday where we can celebrate with parades, chuck wagon breakfasts, 5k runs, and water fights. This was the first year that was actually spent here. And while yes, we did have a nice neighborhood parade/breakfast, it was a quick operation designed to end before the heat pushed the mercury from oppressive to insanely oppressive. So we joined the throngs of people and headed to….yes, the mall.

It was strange indeed. I sat in the main hallway waiting while Jodi thumbed her way through the Anthropologie. I observed countless people going up and down the concourse just like a typical Saturday. There were no visible indications of the holiday other then a few stores advertising a few sales that mentioned the day. I sat there waiting and thinking about our evening plans. Back home in Utah there were myriad patriotic events complete with fireworks. Here the only major advertised event was a party in Tempe.

So we wrapped up the day with a BBQ and a little emptiness. I thought about what made this so weird and the big common denominator was tradition, or lack thereof. In Phoenix the heat is so brutal it prevents any great massive celebrations or activities that might engender grand traditions or displays of patriotism. Most people flee to cooler climes or visit relatives up North. The result is that there is little going on and little that resembles the pomp and circumstance of my youth.

Moving on……

During the week of the fourth I read “What Happened”, the book by Scott McClellan. It was a pretty honest, and sometimes negative account, of his experience as the Press Secretary in the Bush Whitehouse. It was of particular interest to me due to the fact that my friend also served in the Administration as a Spokesman.

I, like many Americans, have become more and more jaded with the direction of our Country and politicians over the last few years. 8 years ago I was staunchly Republican who saw Bush as the man who would cross the Political divide and lead Washington out of the cesspool that had been created by a few decades of partisanship and bitterness. The world was more black and white and absolute back then.

Now things have changed. I’ve seen leaders in the Republican Party do the same things that I once excoriated the Democrats for doing. I’ve seen countless more posturing and I’ve seen less accomplished. I’ve witnessed our Country go from being an economic and global power to a “has been” with little respect and a foundering economy. This is just the past few years!

“What Happened” discusses this environment in some length and blames it on the “zero sum game” environment of Washington, the quest for power, and the persistence of the “permanent campaign” where decisions are based on polls and marketing. In Scott’s mind the Bush Whitehouse entered Washington with good intentions but quickly got bogged down in the game that has been played there since the Nixon days.

It was an interesting read and I feel that it effectively captures the mood of all those Americans that feel like Washington has become completely disaffected from reality. I’m glad that I read it because it made me sit back and take a look at my political tendencies and assess if the current political leadership is capable of solving our complex problems.

I think that a grass roots change is fomenting. In the past it was easy to have an apathetic opinion towards politics because we all had jobs and our lifestyles weren’t being threatened. We cast a blind eye to all the politicians and their shenanigan’s because our lives were fine. Now the economy is on the rocks and years of myopia and special interests have caught up and we all have to come to grips with this ugly situation. This problem might require some sacrifice and concessions; two things that have been in short supply the last couple of years.

Send out the clowns

Things in this country are a mess. Ergo, I’m currently completing an exercise that I’m positive that many Americans are also participating in. I’m taking an inventory of what is going on in the world, wondering how it affects my life, trying to figure out how responsible the politicians are, and trying to figure out if any of the current batch of politicians is capable of fixing the things that I believe that they are responsible for.

But ...before I move on I want to add a couple of caveats. I represent main stream America. Most of my opinions are formed by what I hear and see through mainstream media. I listen to folks on both sides of the aisle so I think I am able to walk the tightrope and keep any bias in check. I do have a few “informed” friends but most of my views are shaped by what I see and hear and what is affecting my life.

So here are a few things that are important to me. If any politician wants my vote they will try to work on clearing these things up. Politicians always take credit for anything that is positive (Think Al Gore and the internet) so I’m going to ask that they take responsibility for the negative as well.


The Economy, stupid- I want to work in a land where barriers to innovation are destroyed and where the Dagny Taggart’s of the world can spread their wings. The minute that special interests and pork barrel spending (Think farm subsidies) enter the equation we lose efficiency for the sake of pandering for votes and influence. As a result we see things like the Ethanol/Gas situation. Politicians have won primary votes in the mid west but they’ve created a solution that is more of a mess. I think that the primary role of government is to make sure that the economy is free to operate and fair for everyone.

Gas Prices- I realize that this is related to point 1. Poor policy leads to inflation, which leads to a weakened dollar, which is one of the factors leading to really sucky gas prices, which leads to me getting my bike tuned up. Hell, we had a plan and a program to send a man to the moon. Why can’t we have a sound energy policy that can increase oil supply in the short term, select an alternative fuel that is less harmful, help create the necessary infrastructure to extract, refine, and distribute the fuel, and provide incentives to the private sector to create machines that will run off of it? We’re getting close to crisis mode here.

Belligerent Foreign Policy- This is where the Bush Administration really lost me. It has tried to paint the world as black and white and bully everyone into that paradigm. At least in Saddam we knew what we had. Now we have created a black hole in the Middle East that could last years. We’ve polarized the world against us. And our war effort is draining valuable money that needs to be spent with more pressing issues at home. I wish we could just turn our attention home so that we could fix ourselves first before we pretend to preach to the world.

Infrastructure- This hasn’t affected my day to day routine too badly but I fear that it will down the road. We have an aging infrastructure that needs to be fitted for the 21st Century. This is going to come with an incredible price tag and I wonder how it is going to be covered.

Legislating morals- I’m kind of fed up when I see Congress spending their time dealing with baseball players with steroid issues. I have a hard time when Government tries to get involved in moral issues that can best be dealt with on a local or state level. I strongly believe in morality but I also strongly believe in freedom of choice. I believe that the government should defend certain basic morality. But I feel more comfortable my religious education from the church of my choice then having it come from a government.

Well, this has become a little long winded. I usually stay out of politics but it has gotten to the point where it is affecting “main street” America. I have become very disillusioned with the current President. But I just don’t believe that either McCain or Obama has the ability to be a whole lot better.

Help me Obi- Wan you’re my only hope.

This is a desert?

Most people conjure up images of the barren Sahara or atleast anything around Las Vegas when the word desert is brought up. But after living in Phoenix for several years you grow to realize that this stereotype doesn't quite pertain. There are places here that at the right time appear to be just downright verdant and lush.

Here are some recent photos from the famed Superstition Mountains that are east of Mesa. We will continue to poke around these hills in search of desert beauty and some of the Lost Dutchmans cache of gold.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ronifer/SuperstitionMountains

Wedding Links

Enjoy some photos from the wedding. They can be viewed from the following links.

http://www.pictage.com/448096

Sorry that you have to put up with that gnarly registration process.

What's your carbon footprint?

I'm currently doing some consulting work that has me evaluating the viability of certain solutions that can assist corporations in becoming more "green". Among those is the much ballyhooed solution called "telepresence" that is being trumpeted by Cisco and HP. Both of these companies, duly noted, are both actively selling their solutions to companies willing to spend millions of dollars for super nice video conferencing capabilities.

Anyways, I have read a number of articles discussing green initiatives such as "carbon footprint" reduction. And the more I read the more I come to the following conclusions:

• Generally speaking, everyone supports and is behind green initiatives. It's a very popular talking point for progressive companies.
• Specifically speaking, very few companies make decisions with the environment as their principle concern. But when action that impacts the environment is taken it is primarily for issues pertaining to the bottom line such as cost reduction.

This leads me to believe that the free market not altruist ideas will drive the next rounds of environmental changes. Companies will issue less plane tickets and replace them with teleconferencing not because of their desire to see a greener planet but rather their desire to keep their jobs by maintaining a healthy bottom line. The fact that these kinds of "business driven" activities benefit the environment just allows companies one more arrow in their public relations quiver to help expound their high levels of corporate responsibility to the consumer.

I definitely don't begrudge capitalism, in fact I actively participate it. I also don't begrudge environmentalist, in fact I try to do my part to help out. I'm just glad to observe a situation like this were we see that both interests can be served.

LDS Feminists

One of my friends recently sent the following link, http://whatwomenknow.org, and asked for my thoughts. I suppose to better understand what it means you should read a recent General Conference talk given by Sister Julie Beck of the Relief Society and the carefully chosen words of the women who signed and issued the statement on the website.

While I agree with a lot of what was said I have to question the way in which these people issued their concerns. By going to the trouble of calling out a specific talk and then signing their names it seems like they've drawn a pretty strong and definite line in the sand. I couldn't help but think that there would have to be a better way to deal with these "slights" then to publicly call out someone like that.

I can sort of understand the motivations for these statements but I don't necessarily agree with them. It appears evident that these women feel that their chosen lifestyles have been called into question by the church. It seems like they want the church to confirm to their chosen lifestyle, not the other way around. I might be wrong but that's the way it appears. I have done this before but haven't gone to these lengths.

I don't know what is going to happen here. Maybe it will spur some debate within the church. Maybe some people will be censured. Maybe things remain the same. I doubt that. Members of the church are becoming more educated and more independent. It's almost as if the church is just one of many membership cards that we now hold.

Mr Jensen throws a stone at Washington

Rare is the occasion that I get involved in politics. I have a number of friends who have the "beltway" mindset but I enjoy my place on the sidelines. I have a few pet issues but the current situation in Washington has really soured me to the entire process.
I was casually watching a stump speech made by Hillary the other day. She was working a crowd up to a fever pitch with her talk of universal health care and the role that the government should play in making life better for the overlooked masses. While I agree with the sentiment that we should lift up the less fortunate through charity and assistance I have a hard time believing that it should come from the government. Then a thought came to my head..............

"I don't want the government involved in matters that I can resolve myself"

I want to keep government involvement at a minimum. I can make my own decisions regarding whether or not I will allow an abortion. I don't need the government to get overly intangled in matters that could better handled by the people alone. But I will rely on the government for matters that I can't individually impact. I will support government coverage in terms of infrastructure (highways, for example) or miltary protection. These are areas that it would make sense to rely on a larger entity to adequately bring to pass.

I just don't think that I should expect the government to provide for me in matters that I could handle myself. I think I'd do a better job. Thoughts?

Alternative Fuels?

The most recent spike in gas prices has me wondering if the perpetual increases will ever stop. I, like many, am almost to the point where I am going to seriously alter the way that I drive. Upon initial consideration it appears absurd that we haven't either come up with commercially viable alternative ways to power vehicles or come up with better long term strategies for gas consumption. I keep hearing the argument that to make an across the board change to another fuel would be impossible. We would need to completely overhaul our infrastructure, our cars, etc... Nothing short of a JFK moon vision, they say, will change this.
If the biggest obstacle to change is the fact that we are so far along the gasoline path, why don't we explore other types of consumption in developing nations like China and India. I don't think that they have the massive infrastructure dedicated to gasoline that we do and as they develop why don't they do it with the myriad options that supposedly are out there? I imagine that I am really simplifying the issue but is it even being considered. If you haven't already sunk so much into a dated and infinite resource such as gas wouldn't you want to explore other cheaper and cleaner alternatives?
I know that this would cause headaches such as having machines that are compatible with both types of fuels, dealing with the oil cartels, getting everyone to buy in etc... but I don't think that they are insurmountable. I guess I'm just sick of hearing about all of these great alternative fuels and not seeing anything done about it. China or India would be great places to test them.


Meanwhile in the time that it took me to post this rant gas prices have increased $.03.

The Truth and "The Truth"

Today was fast sunday, and with it all of the bearing of the testimonies. It is a great opportunity to have your faith reaffirmed by the testimonies and convictions of others. It also exposes one of the most oft quoted phrases within the church, "I know this church is true". It's a shame that whoever created that statement can't receive a royalty everytime it is invoked.
Anyways, my intent is not to be flippant but rather try to understand that phrase. I want to understand it, especially, from the perspective of someone who isn't familar with the LDS vernacular. If I am hearing that phrase for the first time, what does it mean? Are the members reliable and trustworthy, is that what it means? It seems vague and and I think that many of us just repeat that phrase because it is easy and it is assumed that everyone understands it. It seems like it is a short cut to something more descriptive and accurate like "I am grateful to be a member of the church that was restored by Jesus Christ and contains all of his Gospel truths." Along the way between habit and description I feel many new attendees can get lost.
I also feel like this is one of the several phrases that are used in church that shield us from actual thought. Many times the "read the scriptures and pray" response is more a trite facade to ward off another question from the Sunday School teacher than an actual investigation into a spritual matter. We've all been through the sunday routine so many times that it is hard to avoid generating new discussion. I have been dealing with this myself. Many sundays the call of the leftovers in the fridge and a nice nap preclude me from actually contributing to Elders quorum discussion. This is quite damning to my progression and something I have been conscience's been working on. Church should be a wonderfully enlightening experience not a habit.

Uncertainty 2004

I, like everyone else in the U.S., is following the presidential results as they trickle in....are exit polls really this accurate? Shelley and I voted this morning. Things ran very smoothly and the whole process took 20 minutes. I am very anxious to see this day end. One, because I am sick and tired of all of the political mud that has dirtied up my living room and. Two, because I really am nervous about the outcome.
While I strongly support Bush, I am tentatively getting myself ready to accept Kerry. He just doesn't seem decisive or charismatic and he bases his stances according to the breeze. But, I would rather accept a clean defeat then have to endure two months of uncertainty. I really hope that our nation can recover from the division that has been created through this campaign.