Monday, March 31, 2014
Who are we?
Who are we?
I deal with people from all over the country through the real estate business. I shared a story with a group the other night about some of those people that really had me thinking about where we are as Americans or Iowans. Let me explain and then ask if it really matters.
A couple discussed some of their plans for the future. They had been worried about money and how expenses would change their lives. Their children were entering college and the help that their children would need financially was going to change how they lived. But an event occurred that brightened their outlook. The husband was laid off from work. Instant joy for them because now their income was so low that their children qualified for nearly every government program. They would not have to change their lives as much as they thought. The words from them were "Thank God the business closed and my husband got laid off when he did."
I am an optimist. So let's start with the positive and give the benefit of doubt. They thanked God. Well, at least that isn't out of the equation. Maybe they were just trying to be positive, another possibility. Maybe they could not come up with anything else to be positive about, kind of whistling in the graveyard.
But there are many levels where that statement concerns me. My first thought was to question how they could be happy or content with being out of work. It would seem to me that to achieve, to be self-sufficient and self-reliant would be a much more satisfying goal. But I also had the impression that they viewed government as a source of money, the fountain of all things good, and free besides. Maybe we all need to be reminded that government money is not theirs, it is our money in taxes that we paid into the system. If the government took less in the taxes, maybe the business could have remained open and the family would support themselves. I think we have more of that in our society and our own lives than we would care to admit. Maybe most importantly is the question: Did the parents actions make an impression on the children? Did they learn from the parents that there are free and easy sources that will meet every need you might have? I think these small things lead to bigger things later. Kind of like the story about the parent lying about the children's age in the theater line teaches the kids that small lies are okay, and that all businesses are rich and they can afford it.
I have been struck by the number of people already asking me for things. Something small from the government for their interest. Really? That's what we are in this "conservative" district?
I think that we have some big work ahead of us. Changing attitudes does not happen overnight. It will take time. And it will take people cooperating and caring for each other face to face, not through another free system. Do we have what it takes to learn AND put into practice individual independence and liberty once again in Iowa?
I deal with people from all over the country through the real estate business. I shared a story with a group the other night about some of those people that really had me thinking about where we are as Americans or Iowans. Let me explain and then ask if it really matters.
A couple discussed some of their plans for the future. They had been worried about money and how expenses would change their lives. Their children were entering college and the help that their children would need financially was going to change how they lived. But an event occurred that brightened their outlook. The husband was laid off from work. Instant joy for them because now their income was so low that their children qualified for nearly every government program. They would not have to change their lives as much as they thought. The words from them were "Thank God the business closed and my husband got laid off when he did."
I am an optimist. So let's start with the positive and give the benefit of doubt. They thanked God. Well, at least that isn't out of the equation. Maybe they were just trying to be positive, another possibility. Maybe they could not come up with anything else to be positive about, kind of whistling in the graveyard.
But there are many levels where that statement concerns me. My first thought was to question how they could be happy or content with being out of work. It would seem to me that to achieve, to be self-sufficient and self-reliant would be a much more satisfying goal. But I also had the impression that they viewed government as a source of money, the fountain of all things good, and free besides. Maybe we all need to be reminded that government money is not theirs, it is our money in taxes that we paid into the system. If the government took less in the taxes, maybe the business could have remained open and the family would support themselves. I think we have more of that in our society and our own lives than we would care to admit. Maybe most importantly is the question: Did the parents actions make an impression on the children? Did they learn from the parents that there are free and easy sources that will meet every need you might have? I think these small things lead to bigger things later. Kind of like the story about the parent lying about the children's age in the theater line teaches the kids that small lies are okay, and that all businesses are rich and they can afford it.
I have been struck by the number of people already asking me for things. Something small from the government for their interest. Really? That's what we are in this "conservative" district?
I think that we have some big work ahead of us. Changing attitudes does not happen overnight. It will take time. And it will take people cooperating and caring for each other face to face, not through another free system. Do we have what it takes to learn AND put into practice individual independence and liberty once again in Iowa?
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Learning is FUNdamental
Who says you can't learn new things? Only those who have no vision for the future. History is a big thing for me so reading older books is where you would find me looking for information. The idea that I can learn about blogs and google apps is a whole new world for me. What is stranger still is that anyone might be interested enough to read this or comment. My wife and daughters understand the social media things much better, but with their guidance I hope to improve. I have never spent time on Facebook or Google or any other media sites in the past. Everyone that communicates with me in business direct emails, texts, writes or phones. We will find out together if my writing is clear enough to give everyone an understanding of my thoughts. Don't worry about asking questions, answering them is part of what I do every day. My favorite teachers told me that there was never a dumb question. That is true, if you don't ask you will never know.
Our family has had quite a week with lots of activities in the lives of three teenage girls. School, friends, work, and an occasional bit of drama for flavor. Natalie, Ellie and I also received our first place certificates from the NFAA 2014 archery shoot. We were all proud. But I am surprised too, their organization says that anyone over the age of 50 is now a senior. There are other divisions like golden seniors above that, but this is my first blush with that senior title. Wonder if I can start getting discounts somewhere?
We have held several discussion groups in the past weeks. I have enjoyed listening to people to see what is on everyone's minds as well as taking a few minutes to explain my thoughts. One of the best things that I was taught at home and continue to do in business is to listen first, get all of the information possible, and then take the best course of action possible. The general theme seems to be the same when we break it down to the basics. Less is more. Less interference in lives, less money taken away from us in taxes, less control from far away locations. Exactly. Less is more.
I like this format of getting to meet people on the personal level. Just taking the time to listen can help the speaker but can also make the listener wiser. If you would like to have this type of discussion in your area please let us know and we will try to arrange a date and time with your group.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
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