Robin Hood is Not Celestial

Perhaps one of the least understood and a commonly-twisted subjects of study in our world today is macro- economics. Understanding the principles behind large scale economic policy can help a person forecast the changes and dangers ahead based on the current philosophical models and policies.

We must understand that for our fiscal policies to succeed in the current economic market, we need to allow people and corporations to fail. If there is no failure, there is no such thing as success in this country. There must be an opposition in all things. The only way to return stability to our economy is to require a return to accountability. Yes, large corporations and banks will fail. Other banks and organizations that follow correct business practices will rise and take their place.

But we cannot succeed as a country by redistributing wealth.

Below is a link to a video that demonstrates, as well as I have seen, some of the problems with a socialistic economic policy. Some parts of this video are a poor attack on an individual, and I would have preferred the creators to take a higher road, but I have not found a better fiscal encapsulation of the recent events than this…

http://usawakeup.org:80/USSA.htm

Would you like to see something even more shocking? Carefully examine these quotes by President Ezra T. Benson found in The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pp. 692-695. I d-double-dog-dare-you…

“We cannot afford to minimize the threat of socialism in America. We must be on guard against unsound theories and programs which strike at the very root of all we hold dear. We have lived too long under a government of controls. Government by control has extended into almost all of our economy and even invaded many of our personal freedoms. We must be made aware of this and be awakened to its dangers. This major effort is to keep left-wing, bureaucratic planners away from control of our national government. That are leading us today towards more and more socialization of our entire economy, a weakening of the free-enterprise system, and an increase in the regulation and domination of the people of America.”

“Today’s Socialists – who call themselves egalitarians [or champions of the poor] - are using the federal government to redistribute wealth in our society—not as a matter of voluntary charity, but as a so-called matter of right. One Housing, Education, and Welfare official said, ‘In this country, welfare is no longer charity; it is a right. More and more Americans feel that their government owes them something.’ (U.S. News and World Report, 21 April 1975, p. 49). President Grover Cleveland said – and we believe as a people – that though the people support the government, the government should not support the people.”

“Yes, we have traveled a long way down the soul-destroying road of socialism . . . How did this happen? Men . . . ascended to high political offices by promising what was not theirs to give, and citizens voted them into office in hopes of receiving what they had not earned. You can, therefore, see how the violation of one commandment – Thou shall not covet – has weakened our entire system of government and led to the partial loss of liberty.”

I fear for the future when I realize that our once-free institutions—political, economic, educational, and social—have been drifting into the hands of those who favor the welfare state, and who would “centralize all power in the hands of the political apparatus in Washington. This enhancement of political power at the expense of individual rights, so often disguised as ‘democracy’ or ‘freedom’ or ‘civil rights,’ is ‘socialism, no matter what name tag it bears.”

There are more significant quotes from this section, and I would highly recommend reading it. When the prophet speaks, do it. We are commanded to follow not just his commands, but also all of his recommendations (Doc. & Cov. 21:4-5) Whether it is by command or recommendation, His voice is the only warning that will keep us in safety during a time of storm.

Big Girl

After a day of rearranging rooms, taking down one bunk set to put it in another room, and putting up a new bunk for the girls, the children were ready for bed.




It was #3's first time not in a crib. She was pretty excited to have a big bed she could get into on her own. We closed the girls in with instructions that #1 not play around or get us unless there was an injury. She did her part. 1 1/2 hours later, the drawers were still being opened and closed and little feet were padding across the floor. She opted to try to sleep one more time so I tucked her in and closed the door again. When we went to bed, she was sleeping soundly near her pillow, under her covers.

This is what we found when we checked on her before David went to work.

When she woke up, she was on cloud 9! She was so excited to get out of bed on her own. We are excited for her, too.

Need Prayers!

The Supreme Court of the State of California decided they have a right to determine the constitutionality of a constitutional amendment. Specifically Proposition 8, which passed this last election season. The proposition supported the proper definition of marriage.

This Thursday is when the court hears the case and begins determining if and how they will or can strike down that proposition or if they will sustain it.

I believe they need our prayers.

Additionally, I encourage anyone who currently supports the massive government involvement of our current administration to prayerfully examine section 134 of the Doctrine & Covenants and the quotes of the Brethren on government involvement and welfare. We are laying the foundation for the fiscal destruction of our children. That's what I call "change", but I sure didn't "hope" for it. I half expect my children to have to recite the following in four years: I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the socialist welfare state of America and to the republic for which it once stood, one nation, but don't mention God, completely divisible, with corruption and wickedness nearly forced upon all...

I believe they need our prayers.

I Should Use Coupons More Often

Our shopping was very basic because of all our plans this week. I often forget to look through our coupon stash but today I had time. So I pulled out the backpack from under the bed and emptied it out. I don't really have THAT many but I tossed the file folder of clipped coupons in there a few weeks ago when I was in a hurry to get David and shop together as a family.

Now, flashback to our Valentine's night out. As we looked at the camera in the store, I hesitated. David noticed and said he wouldn't be grumpy even if we end up finding the old camera.

I took him up on that. For at the bottom of the backpack, I found a silver shiny thing...the camera. It got tossed in the open coupon bag either from on the bed or as we unloaded the car. Then I replaced the coupon bag under the bed and didn't think to check it when the camera went missing.

All is well. #1 and #2 are excited to use the old camera.

If the camera had been gone forever, we would have missed these fun shots:


#1 and I checking out the turkeys


Play-dough and school work


Why do I love pictures of sleeping children so much?


Bass on the easy level. One song attention span.


Pay no attention to the child falling off the couch in the background. That's normal.

Maybe I should pass the blame more often...

In our nearly seven years of marriage, I can count the number of times David has lost something on one hand. It just doesn't happen. So imagine my surprise when I could not find the camera a few days after giving it to him while out at a farm with the children. He is positive that he placed it on the corner of the bed upon returning home, but since I do not remember getting it from that point on, I razzed him for a couple days about losing the camera. (#3 probably just hid it somewhere and we'll find it in a few months/years). Oh and in a strange twist, seven years ago this month was when I lost David's first camera...

Anyway, David went out and got me a replacement, the Canon PowerShot SD1100. It is sweet! It has face finder (and can locate multiple faces), image stabilization, 8.0 megapixel, and the card he got can hold between 500 and 2400 photos. Man! I have got to blame him when *I* lose stuff more often. This new one sure beats the seven-year-old, 1.2 megapixel, hope-it-turns-out-in-focus (it did us so well for a long time) camera. Man technology sure improves quickly. Unfortunately, the yellow in these photos is due to having the Macro setting on.

So we've been sick this week, David finally had it and made his sinus-buster noodles today. It was an old recipe he used to use as a missionary in Wisconsin to clear sinuses enough to breathe when they're clogged.

Boil two Roman noodle packs, trash the included seasoning. After boiling, drain the water, and add dried onions, significant sriracha hot sauce, ginger, 1/8 cup soy sauce, and 1/8 cup oil. Stir fry, and have Kleenex nearby. Here are some pictures with the new camera of the children enjoying the noodles. #2 is on his 4th serving and, yes, #1 is putting them on a saltine... Because.

Overheard at the dinner table.

"We watched a scary movie (commercial) with zom-dees in it while you were at school." (#2)
"What are zom-dees?" (#1)
"They are the un-dead." (Melissa)
"Except that zombies are like unicorns, there is no such thing." (David)
"Except that unicorns are real daddy." (#1)
"..." (David closing his eyes and chewing slow to make sure he does not choke from laughing)
"[#1] did you know that there is no such thing as unicorns in real life." (Melissa)
"Mom, you're such a kidder, that was a funny joke." (#1)
"[hacking sounds]" (David choking as his shoulders bounced like a gymnast on a trampoline)
"Um, actually, I am not joking, Unicorns are make believe." (Melissa)
"Like zom-dees. Please pass the soil sauce." (#2 asking for the soy sauce for his sushi.)

Fangs

#3 now has her lower K9s, just in time for us to watch the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, a perennial favorite for the family. This year, David enjoyed the Miniature Bull Terrier, Melissa enjoyed the Fox Hound. Yea for dogs.

Make the world a better place: swerve at cats.

Learning and Laughing

#3 has come with her own sense of funny. I was quizzing her on her facial parts:
--Where are your eyes? Close enough.
--Where are your ears? Right on.
--Where is your nose? Finger up it is definitely right on. :-)
--Where is your mouth? She opened wide and put her thumb in and began to suck on it.
--Where is your thumb? She grabbed my thumb and stuck it in her mouth. Then she just laughed.