The Illinois Train Wreck

"If you have friends or relatives living in Illinois, tell them to leave - now. This is not going to get any better. In fact, these might be the 'good old days' in the not too distant future. As for the rest of us, we need to look at Illinois as the canary in the coal mine. Yes Lady Thatcher - we are running out of everyone's money." 

"The trouble with Socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." Amen to that Lady Thatcher! What is happening right now is the once great state of Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, is living the result of Democrat Socialism at it worst. And the nation has seen this coming - live, in color, and very, very slowly. What has happened to Illinois is truly a slow motion train wreck.

I found an article from Time Magazine written slightly over four years ago. This article was hitting the alarm and shouting from the rooftops for the State of Illinois to DO SOMETHING! What was the problem back then? The same problem it is now and will be in 2040. Pensions. Over promising, and under funding. And to paraphrase Obama's former minister - "Illinois chickens. are coming home to roost". 

How bad is it? Crazy bad. Assuming what little investments the state has to pay for the mountain of pensions does gangbusters, the projected deficit by the year 2040 is still $100B. That is the best case. Oh, by the way - that is only the state we are talking about. It does not include the City of Chicago. They have their own pension mess, with a projected deficit of $10B by 2040. 

If our federal government were smart, they would look at Illinois (just like they should look at the country of Greece) and learn something. Our federal government not only has a debt of $20T (which is shocking in and by itself), but unfunded liabilities of over $100T! Our own slow motion train wreck is also coming. The State of Illinois just bought a bit of time by raising the income tax over 30%. The Governor did not want to sign it unless it was accompanied by some meaningful pension reform. Nope. Sorry. The train wreck continues. 

The graphic I used for this article features "Squeezy" the pension python. This is the graphic which has been used in Illinois editorials to portray the Illinois fiscal mess. Quite simply, "Squeezy" squeezes the money out of the state. There is nothing left to use to fund state business with. That is why, the state is an inch or so away from having its bonds lowered to "junk".

If you have friends or relatives living in Illinois, tell them to leave - now. This is not going to get any better. In fact, these might be the "good old days" in the not too distant future. As for the rest of us, we need to look at Illinois as the canary in the coal mine. Yes Lady Thatcher - we are running out of everyone's money. 

The ship hitting the sand?

"Our Independence Day celebrates our "BREXIT" 241 years ago. We use pop-bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers and fireworks. However, if we have to take care of business on the Korean Peninsula, the firepower will much bigger and much more lethal. Remember that Mr. Un. Your future, your country, is in your hands right now. And the clock is ticking."

Why is it that every generation or so, there seems to be at least one despotic mad man who threatens world peace. We have seen them all. Hitler, Idi Amin, "Pappa Doc", Pol Pot, and the list goes on and on. Today, we have a real nut ball running loose. One who is determined to pull us into a war with his tiny country. And if he had advisers who would tell him the truth rather than smooching his rear end, they would tell him he is on a suicide quest.

Who am I talking about? This third generation tyrant who is running (and ruining) North Korea. He did it again early today. Lit off another long range rocket. This one the Norks say can reach Alaska. This little dictator, Kim Jong-un, has half the WestPac doing "duck and cover" exercises right now. Left unchecked, by Christmas, the "duck and cover" drills will also be done up and down our west coast.

Here is the bad news for Mr. Jong-un. You have now been painted brighter than anything else on our President's radar. And if you are showing up that bright on his radar, you can bet your bippie you are also showing up that bright on the radar used by "Mad Dog" Mattis. That is not good for you sir. Our new President has an agenda which he would like to implement, and you are not part of it. And if you try and become part of it, I am afraid the "ship is going to hit the sand" - and it will not end well for you. In fact, it WILL end you.

You might want to look out your bathroom window when you get a chance. There are three United States carrier task groups just sitting in wait. There is more firepower within those three task groups, than in all the firepower used in World War II. Between that, the air power we have at Kadena AFB, as well as Anderson AFB, your country will be turned into a sheet of glass in less than a day. Is that what you really want for your people? 

I have given you this counsel before. Stand down. Disarm. Join the civilized world. You would not believe the number of nations (especially ours) who would love to help your people live better lives. But if you are hell bent on our destruction, yours will come long before ours. It is not something we want to do, it will be something we are forced to do. 

One more thing. Please do not underestimate our new President. The road is littered with people (figuratively) who have. You sir - will not be figuratively. You will be literally. You will be gone, past tense, yesterday's news. And so will your country. Not our choice. But if you give us no choice, all I can say is make your peace with God. And if chose not to do that - good bye and good luck.

Our Independence Day celebrates our "BREXIT" 241 years ago. We use pop-bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers and fireworks. However, if we have to take care of business on the Korean Peninsula, the firepower will much bigger and much more lethal. Remember that Mr. Un. Your future, your country, is in your hands right now. And the clock is ticking.

Let Freedom Ring!

"On this Independence Day I will only say this - God bless America. Land of the free, home of the brave. Happy birthday America - may you have many, many more!"

I have mentioned in the past how very pleased and blessed I am with how far and wide this blog is read. One of the metrics which has surprised me and thrilled me the most are the countries it is read in. The country with the second highest readership (right behind ours) is - Russia.

It pleases me as many times I write about liberty and freedom. I am happy to share those stories with the Russian people. Why? Putting governments aside, the Russian people are good people - very good people. I want nothing more than to have the Russian people experience the liberty and freedom this country has.

I have told my daughter and son-in-law many times the same thing which was told to my wife and I by our parents. Your children observe you - constantly. They learn from you and they pattern after you. While in the Navy and on liberty, a similar thing was told to us by our chiefs or officers. When you are in that uniform, people are watching you. You need to set the example for what the Navy is all about, and never disgrace the uniform nor the service.

As Americans, people from other countries are watching us. They are learning from us. Many envy our freedoms. Yes, and some even resent them. Once in a while, I will get into a polite discussion with someone who has a different world view than I. That person might point out our country's flaws rather than her blessings. I remind that person we do not have fences keeping our people in - we need fences to keep people out. Only for the ones who want to get here the wrong way. 

Our country is not perfect. It may never be. But it is the best which ever was. And it still is the land which many across the globe aspire to visit or even live here. And it is not just due to our beautiful scenery nor smiling faces. It is about a set of ideas and ideals, which was penned on a simple piece of paper 241 years ago. It is about ideas which became a country, which then became a beacon of hope for so many. 

Why is America great? Why is it special? Most importantly, why is it exceptional? For a quick answer, look in the mirror. Look at your neighbor. Look into a crowd of citizens. None of the authors of the Declaration of Independence are still around. But their idea is. And it lives brightly in each and every one of us. And we have the responsibility to not only share that idea with our children and grandchildren - but also with the people of the world.

Like many of us, I love this country - and I love her deeply. Even though imperfect with some warts and bruises, this country is still worth every drop of blood which was spilled to protect her and her way of life. Plus, I know our best days are in the future. Why? Because this country has been blessed by God, and blessed richly. 

On this Independence Day I will say only this - God bless America! Land of the free, home of the brave. Happy birthday America - may you have many, many more!

Voter fraud consequnces

"So all you good folks who do not believe that voter fraud exists, and then complain about your 100 to 200 percent increase in your ObamaCare health care premiums - remember this one simple word - karma." 

"There is NO voter fraud in Minnesota!" How many times have we heard that from the Democrats? Too many to count. They seem to be okay with voter fraud for some reason. Some reason? They are okay with it because it seems to help them much more than anyone else.

And why do we think there is voter fraud? No voter ID for starters. We go on the "trust system". Assuming everyone will be telling the truth. News flash - if someone commits voter fraud, they are operating "outside the law". In other words, an outlaw. Why do we think an outlaw is going to tell the truth? Duh!

And now Secretary of State Steve Simon, the Dayton shill who has control of our state's voting system, has told the President's Administration to take a hike. We are not releasing any information which could point towards voter fraud. Being a contrarian just for a minute, let me ask this stupid question - why do we care if a few people vote illegally? In the larger scheme of things, is not that issue like trying to find fly poop in with the pepper?

Well, not really. In the world of unintended (or intended) consequences, voter fraud can be the straw which broke the camel's back. For example, many of us remember the very shady election which got Crazy Al elected over Norm Coleman. And that was a big one. Why? Al Franken became the 60th vote for ObamaCare. Remember ObamaCare? The "hope and change" issue which has now destroyed our healthcare - forever. 

There was some very serious reporting done on voter fraud once that election was over. On a national scale, John Fund of the Wall Street Journal wrote a book called, Stealing Elections - How Voter Fraud Threatens our Democracy. It dealt with voter fraud in many states, including Minnesota.

According to a July 20, 2010 U.S. News and World Report article, John Fund is quoted as saying that "Al Franken's narrow 312 vote victory in 2008 over incumbent Norm Coleman may have come as a result of people being allowed to vote, under Minnesota law, shouldn't have been."

The article also quoted our own Minnesota Majority and the research they did. Just in Hennepin and Ramsey counties alone, enough felons were found to have voted which eclipsed the 312 vote margin for Franken. What does all this mean? Until we have a bonafide voter ID system nation wide, bad apples are going to continue to tort the system. And they will do it under the loving and watchful eyes of the Left.

So all you good folks who do not believe that voter fraud exists, and then complain about your 100 to 200 percent increase in your ObamaCare health care premiums - remember this one simple word - karma. If we did not have voter fraud, we would not have Franken. If we did not have Franken, we would not have ObamaCare. If we did not have ObamaCare, we would not have a broken healthcare system. 

As they would say in the show Perry Mason - "I rest my case"...  

Exceptionally red, white and blue!

"Are we red, white and blue? Absolutely! Are we exceptional? You bet your A$$. Are we an idea which needs to be spread with the world? Ask Bono, or someone from another country. They know." 

I don't think there is a living soul who would not believe me if I said this country is going through a bit of identity crisis right now. Not by everyone - but many of us are okay with where our country is. Yes, we know this country is not perfect. It continually searches for ways on how to make things better - for everyone. But not everyone agrees on how to get there. That being said, I think every red blooded American would agree on one thing - this country is exceptional. Red, white and blue exceptional.

As I pen this, I am sitting on my deck surrounded by some drop dead gorgeous weather. The dabbled sunlight is coming through the pine trees. Okay - it is just not just the weather. The wildlife will occasionally come sauntering by, the woods are exploding in a green curtain with a carpet to match. Plus, I am listening to some very inspirational "God music". It reminds once again, just how many places on this planet do not have this luxury. How truly blessed we are to live in this country.

I am also thinking about whom much is given, much is also expected. I have told this story before. A while back, Bono was being interviewed on a show which I was listening to . When asked what he thought of America, Bono gave a very different response. He said (if I may paraphrase just a bit) - "America is not just a country - it is an idea. An idea which has now been shared with the world. And it is up to America to keep that idea alive." Bingo.

Leave it to someone from outside our borders to really define what American Exceptionalism is all about. It is not about pride. It is not about arrogance. It is about a system of governance, a way of life. In all of history, our sytem comes closest to really "getting it". Yes Bono - America is exceptional. We are an idea. And we have a responsibility to spread the idea, the ideals, of liberty and freedom as far and wide as need be. 

For those who think this four day weekend is just an excuse to do some cabin hopping, party time, or other wise, I urge you to remember one thing. This is also a birthday party as well. Not just for some spoiled brat - this is the birthday party to something young a promising - a fledgling idea. It is about a system of governance penned together by the most unlikely group of patriots. Wickedly smart people. And - this system is as good now as it was then. Truly amazing.

On Tuesday, grab someone you love, or even like, and say one thing - Happy Birthday! Why? Because America is now us. It is up to us to keep the story going. Keep the idea going. Because right now, we are America.

Are we red, white and blue? Absolutely! Are we exceptional? You bet your a$$. Are we an idea which needs to be spread with the world? Ask Bono. Or someone from another country. They know. And we should also.

The Church and Us

"That is the real church. Probably the title of this article should not have been 'The Church and Us'. Rather, it should have been 'The Church IS Us!' Why? Because the Church of Jesus Christ really does live through each of us. That is what the article in the paper this morning should have been about." 

Good article in the morning paper. It was about the Lutheran Church in Minnesota. I know a bit about this subject. I was baptized and raised a Lutheran (Lutheran Church of America back then). I was married in a Lutheran Church (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod). We went to a Lutheran Church (as a family) for years (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) and both our girls were baptized in that church. Finally after I retired, I worked for a while as an Executive Director at a Missouri Lutheran Church. 

That being said, my wife and I are no longer Lutherans. We did not leave in a huff, we left because we felt the Lutheran Church started to stray from what we believed. We still want the very best for all denominations of the Lutheran Church. It is after all, part of the Bride of Christ.

I have said for many years now, the church (regardless of denomination) is strongest when the church acts like the church. The article in the paper this morning was talking about how Lutheran Churches continue to shrink in numbers. If a church appears to be rote, insular, or (yes, I have read books on this one) boring, the numbers start to go down. However, when a church is active in mission, has vibrant worship, honest fellowship, strong biblical teachings, as well as equipping - the church will grow like crazy.

One thing I learned many years ago, and then also experienced it, is anointing. A very wise pastor told me at one time that different churches go though anointing at different times. People go through anointing at different times. When you are involved with a church which has strong anointing - grasp it. It is a true blessing. If your church is not growing, if the anointing is not as strong as it should be, try to change it from within. If the church is not open to change, it is then time to leave. Find a church, within or outside your denomination, where the anointing, the teaching, the equipping, is strong.

Our church journey has landed us in a church far away from our Lutheran roots. And we are fine with it. The teaching is true and biblical. Is it a perfect church? No, there are some things I wish were different. But the most important thing is their strong suit - the teaching. 

One final thing - and I think this is the real core of the issue. Once you become equipped, you are good to go. In other words, church is not the building, and it is not just about just Sunday morning. It is about how we live, how we show others how we live, the hours outside the church building. Yes, we gather on Sunday morning to worship, praise and learn. What we do with it is up to us once we leave the church service. 

That is the real church. Probably the title of this article should not have been "The Church and Us". Rather, it should have been "The Church IS Us!" Why? Because the Church of Jesus Christ really does live through each of us. That is what the article in the paper this morning should have been about.    

Taking the train to Duluth this Fourth!

"If the state really wants to make the trip up to Duluth even more enjoyable, add one more lane on I-35. And then up the speed limit to 75. The road is certainly safe enough to drive 75 on - it is straight and flat. Other than that, most of us flat lander types in Minnesota are just fine with the way things are." 

(WARNING: The following post contains fantasy. Read at your own risk!)

I am so glad that Anoka County finally got with the program and agreed to help foot the cost of the Northern Lights Express (also known as the NLX). Most of us have waited simply years for the privilege of taking this shiny new train up through the heartland of Minnesota, all the way to Duluth. How much did it cost to build? Who knows and who cares. Some right wing nut ball said it cost over a billion dollars to build. Well, we showed him!

We really wanted to have this thing zip along the tracks at 110 mph. However, that would have meant replacing some of the track with newer track which could accommodate that speed. Big whoop. We just agreed to an average speed of 60 mph with a maximum speed of 90 mph. All is cool then. The train should be safe for all at that speed. And who cares if the average time to get from Minneapolis to Duluth is still 2 1/2 hours (just like driving)? Trains are fun to ride on. 

There will be a few stops, but so what? Coon Rapids, Cambridge, Hinkley (for the donuts, not the casino!), Big Bear Casino (just to stretch our legs), Superior and then into Duluth. All this for the measly cost of $32/ticket (one way). That is not so bad. $64/ticket for round trip times four of us is only about $250. That is a bit more than driving, but not too much more - right?

(NOTE: Fantasy portion is now over - back to reality)

What is the Northern Lights Express really? A casino train. Forget all that BS about how it will help revitalize the north shore - it won't. It will be a bigger waste of money (if that is possible) than the North Star. Even with sky high prices for tickets, the cost to ride it will not cover the cost to run it. Bottom line? If the decision to build this train would have been a non-stop ride from Minneapolis to Duluth, it would have practically zero support. No casinos, no support. 

Just last year, the NLX Passenger Alliance (whatever that is), proclaimed this boondoggle could be up and running by 2020. That is three years away. Back to the family of four for a minute who decided to take the train to Duluth. After paying over $250 for the tickets, what do you do once you get to Duluth? Duluth is a destination for some, and a stop over for many others who are headed further up the north shore. So if you get to Duluth and want to go no further, wear your comfy shoes - you are in for a whole lot of walking. 

For the life of me, I don't understand this fascination with trains that some in this state have. My wife and I drive up to Duluth often, and love the drive. It is not that long, the speed limit is 70, and the rest stops are gorgeous. Once we are up there, we have the truck to take us where ever our hearts or minds lead us. When it is time to come home, we don't have to adhere to a train schedule, we just leave. 

If the state really wants to make the trip up to Duluth even more enjoyable, add one more lane on I-35. And then up the speed limit to 75. The road is certainly safe enough to drive 75 on - it is straight and flat. Other than that, most of us flat lander types in Minnesota are just fine with the way things are.