Congressional Amendment 2011

Congressional Reform Act of  2011

1.   No Tenure / No Pension.
A  Congressman collects a reasonable salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

2.   Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately.  All  future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.  Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12.

The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.
Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.   Serving in
Congress is an honor, not a career.  The  Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

Be Careful

As I read Facebook posts this morning, the overwhelming sense is one of relief that Osama Bin Laden has reportedly been killed.  While I celebrate the work of our military around the world, I wonder if Americans aren’t becoming more like Muslim extremists than we realize.  Will the celebration of his death resemble the celebration they held after 9/11?

Ephesians 5:14 tells us to be pay careful attention to how we walk in this world.  Christians are to have God’s wisdom in response to world events, not man’s wisdom.  So, I wonder how many Christians have prayed last night and this morning that the death of Osama Bin Laden would lead to the spiritual salvation of others?  May we never confuse Christianity with patriotism or vice versa.

Recently I saw Bruce Springsteen perform this song on TV.  It’s written from the perspective of a US soldier who has returned home from serving overseas, and it asks some really great questions.  One of the most poignant statements is the chorus where he says that fear is powerful enough to fill your heart with devils and dust.  We believe we have God on our side, and yet we can still fall into the trap of filling our hearts with devils and dust, just as our political enemy has done. 

“Devils & Dust”

I got my finger on the trigger
But I don’t know who to trust
When I look into your eyes
There’s just devils and dust
We’re a long, long way from home, Bobbie
Home’s a long, long way from us
I feel a dirty wind blowing
Devils and dust

I got God on my side
And I’m just trying to survive
What if what you do to survive
Kills the things you love
Fear’s a powerful thing, baby
It can turn your heart black you can trust
It’ll take your God filled soul
And fill it with devils and dust

Well I dreamed of you last night
In a field of blood and stone
The blood began to dry
The smell began to rise
Well I dreamed of you last night, Bobbie
In a field of mud and bone
Your blood began to dry
And the smell began to rise

We’ve got God on our side
We’re just trying to survive
What if what you do to survive
Kills the things you love
Fear’s a powerful thing, baby
It’ll turn your heart black you can trust
It’ll take your God filled soul
Fill it with devils and dust
It’ll take your God filled soul
Fill it with devils and dust

Now every woman and every man
They wanna take a righteous stand
Find the love that God wills
And the faith that He commands
I’ve got my finger on the trigger
And tonight faith just ain’t enough
When I look inside my heart
There’s just devils and dust

Well I’ve got God on my side
And I’m just trying to survive
What if what you do to survive
Kills the things you love
Fear’s a dangerous thing
It can turn your heart black you can trust
It’ll take your God filled soul
Fill it with devils and dust
Yeah it’ll take your God filled soul
Fill it with devils and dust

Friday, Nov 12

While Barbie was having surgery, Mike Isaacson hooked our kids up with a special treat.  They got to see the AirCare helicopter from Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.  A lifelong friend of Mike’s is the pilot in the photo, David.  He was a great tour guide and let the kids all over the place.

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Grand Canyon West

From Las Vegas, we drove about 2 hours to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon.  We were able to get a package deal which got us onto the Skywalk, an awesome lunch, and amazing views of this wonder of God’s creation.  From the bottom of the Skywalk, the canyon floor is 2,000 feet below.  The lowest portion of the canyon is 4,000 feet.  The Colorado river is 3 miles from us and yet looks much closer.  At this point in the river, it is 100 yards wide.  Just awesome!

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Week out West – Part 1

Here are some of our photos from this past week in Vegas, Red Rock Canyon and the Hoover Dam.

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Wrights October 2010

This is a slideshow of photos from our family for the past 2 weeks or so.  It’s been pretty busy!  For the Florida/Alabama game, we were right over the tunnel where UF ran onto the field (they should’ve stayed in the locker room!).  For the Fair, this was Emma and Andrew’s first time riding a roller coaster, and they loved it!  For the Buddy Walk, thank you to everyone who came out and walked with us!

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Unbelievable

So, how many Americans would be happy with another country telling us where we could build houses?

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Clinton-Seeks-Compromise-to-Rescue-Middle-East-Peace-Talks-103781914.html

Just in case you are not aware, this is one of the most ridiculous claims upon another country that could ever be made. And the problem is the world, including the current US administration, is going to bow to these stupid demands. I have no problem saying that this is simply stupid and absolutely contrary to common sense.

Keep praying for the peace of Israel, and know for certain that this level of stupidity won’t exist in Heaven!