Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Rhetorical Ruminations

I was just thinking about - - -

It’s so easy to get caught up in the emotions of a moment. Many people are mesmerized by a gifted orator. It was fascinating to observe people in their responses to some political speeches yesterday. One politician was very methodical and attempted to be factual – but came across in a very academic and matter-of-fact manner. The audience present lacked enthusiasm and the response seemed labored. Another politician had just claimed victory after an arduous journey for a nomination. He and his audience were euphoric – very enthusiastic. It mattered very little what the speaker was saying – they just were in the frame of mind to cheer and emotionally respond.

What’s the difference between these speakers? Both believe change is necessary. Both believe Washington is the problem rather than the solution. Both believe our country has resilience and can bring about change. The difference is that one man lacks an enthusiasm when he speaks and grinds out details that may interest the audience but it cannot generate assertive response. The other is a gifted orator. He could say a rabbit should replace the eagle as the national symbol and people would respond enthusiastically. It matters little whether or not they understand or comprehend what is being declared – the audience is caught up with gifted oratory and are responding to the presentation rather than the content.

If one is given to rumination, comprehension of what is being stated is absolute. Rather than responding to the emotion of the moment, one would ask particular questions for the proposals made. For instance, Universal Health Care, an apt question is: “How are we going to pay for it?” The trite response for almost every proposal is: “Don’t renew the Bush Tax cuts!” The general idea for Health Care; Education for everyone; hiring more teachers at higher salaries; etc. – leads to the Robin Hood Principle – take from the rich and redistribute it to the poor! It doesn’t matter if a person pays taxes or not – give them a tax cut and a tax rebate, etc.

No one pauses to consider that we are borrowing $700 Billion each year from China to function as a government and nation. In addition, most of our goods are manufactured in China and the Trade Deficit is astronomical. The Chairman of the Federal Reserve spoke yesterday regarding the devalued Dollar and the way that contributes to inflation. But the runaway Congress keeps spending; keeps assigning earmarks to favored constituents and family members. Go to: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,361061,00.html where you can find some detail about this type of financial maneuvering. Part of the lead in states: “Budget earmarks became a national scandal — and a national joke — after some wasteful schemes made headlines recently: a $223 million “bridge to nowhere” in Alaska, a $500,000 teapot museum in North Carolina, a $10 million extension to Coconut Road in Florida. Many lawmakers earmark taxpayer money for projects supported by contributors to their campaigns…The investigation exposes a far more disturbing practice: federal lawmakers earmarking taxpayer dollars on projects that offer them not just political advantage, but personal financial gain.” Will Rogers once stated (almost 100 years ago): “This is the best Congress money can buy!” It looks like he is still right. We should never allow ourselves be either naïve or gullible. By the same token, we need to guard against becoming too cynical.

Proverbs 13:11 indicates: “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” There are not too many who concern themselves with the words of Jesus in Mark 10:23, “And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The greed of man will never serve him well. The work ethic needs to return to our nation. A renewed thrift needs to be implemented. A new orientation of saving, rather than spending, needs to come into existence. Our nation needs less governmental expenditures – not more. We need to learn frugality and implement it quickly.

Think about that with me - - -

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