Here's a Question: Racism?

When will we know that Racism is behind us... an ugly scar on the past? What will the gravestone of Racism look like? What will mark its passing? When we look back in time, what will historians say marked that Racism was no longer a pervading force in the world?

If I get any comments on this (or in beksters blog) there are a few ground rules:
1. No quoting the entirity of MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech. It is well done, and valid... but I'm asking 21st Century you... not MLK.
2. No poetic, poignant imagery... I'm talking practicality here. "Joining hands and singing" is nice imagery, but really... some people can't sing... and they have sweaty palms... i don't want to "Join hands and sing..." I want to identify the end of racism.
3. No saying it's impossible, impractical, unattainable or unrealistic. The goal and dream of such a reality makes it worth chasing at all costs. What will be the flag that marks victory?
4. If you're racist then please do 2 things: kiss my big white sphincter and go away. I mean that in love... but sincerely.

Maybe we'll do another post on what various parties do to perpetuate stereotypes, racism & prejudice. but that's a later note.

Eyeballing 15 with a zero in sight

Okay, in response to a small note on Sal's blog... Let me first address how extremely debt averse I have become. I despise borrowing money. I've become more of a budget stickler. This last month, I wanted to see how much I could save up by collecting amassing all the quarters from our cash purchase change. (i.e. spend cash and throw the change in a bucket but dig out all the quarters.) Well, I got $50 in about 3 weeks. I'm not sure what the current percentage is, but a little more than a year ago, we lived on 23-25% of our income (with a goal of less than 6% in time.)

All that is said... I hate debt. We've saved more than $ in becoming debt free. My wife says she has saved 3 hours per week in paperwork & book keeping by not managing debt. My wife & I have become much closer (ergo... a daughter is on the way. No, I won't explain any further.) I really believe that the borrower becomes slave to the lender. Not just indebted to... I mean SLAVE.

We are expecting to save up cash for our next house and just PAY for it. There are those who call this dumb (i'll explain the mathematics of that decision later in this post) but let's just suspend the modern logic of borrowing and just go back to an old world BC mentality. Just how many folks do you know who have houses paid off that lose their paid-for homes in foreclosure? How many debt free folks get repo's?

I am of the firm belief that if you cannot pay cash for something, you can't afford it (with an acceptable exception made for real estate... but would still prefer paid for period!) Okay, now the explanation of the title: Rebekah & I have discussed the idea of our next home purchase being a land purchase. Buying the land and building on it.

Well, I found 15 acres for approximately $100k. It has a 5 acre pond (i.e. 10 acres + 5 acre pond) and 2 build sites alloted in the land. I'm about to salivate it looks so awesome. It's in a small town (even better) and would be perfect if up-fitted with gazeboes and such for weddings. All this coming as we're expecting our first child within days. We also don't have the cash budgeted for that size purchase. I'm just praying that the Father lets it hang out there long enough so we can purchase it. But, then again... it's just dirt (ok, mud if you count the water.) but it's pretty dirt. And I still wouldn't borrow money for it... partially because we'd have to borrow a good sum to build there. Not in the mood to grab a building project that tends to go 10-30% over cost as fuel, concrete & commodities are all headed higher in the midst of home buying season.

nope. Pete's next purchase will likely fall sometime around... oh... Thanksgiving of any given year... Maybe December. LOL.

just hope the housing crisis gets a little worse before it gets better.

Thoughts on (the preamble to) the constitution

We the People[1] of the United States of America, in Order to form[2] a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility[3], provide for the common defense[4], promote[5] the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty[6] to ourselves and our Posterity[7], do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Ok. I'm no lawyer nor legal counsel. It may be apparent that I'm not a public policy nerd. But, I did learn to read.

1. We the People -
First, let's notice who is RESPONSIBLE to insure, provide & create this stuff that our constitution proclaims. It's not the Government. It is not an elected official. It is WE THE PEOPLE of the United States. Us of the US. In other words, our forefathers (y'know... I used to think that meant four fathers... like the Mt. Rushmore... LOL.) ok, where was I...oh, yeah. Our forefathers had the intelligence to cause us to take on 2 things.

• Personal Responsibility:
  Being responsible for our own actions. In other words, we need to empower ourselves with the ABILITY to RESPOND in the light of our own choices.
• Being our brothers keeper:
  This is a bit more difficult to see. but you see it around #5 & 7... We're to consider the needs of others also. This means giving when necessary. Helping as possible. Becoming a unified country.

2. Form a more perfect union -
The operative word is FORM. It is a process that will not be completed - hence the word MORE perfect union. The way we form & shape a more perfect union is a 2 fold process.

• Working on ourselves
• Working on or in unity which means there's a give & take required

3. Insure domestic tranquility -
Why do our elected officials seem to be working doubly hard to polarize their constituents. Unity & tranquility go hand in hand.

4. Common defense -
Now, notice who is to provide the common defense... WE THE PEOPLE. We are to PROVIDE for our common DEFENSE.

5. Promote the general welfare:
First off, promote. Not provide! Promote. We as a nation PROMOTE the providing for those in need. Promote the activity of looking out for one another.

Again, looking out for each other. It doesn't say that the GOVERNMENT takes care of each other. But within a community, we should take care of those within our community. This will cause things to be more efficient & cause less waste through federal seepage.

6. Secure the blessings of liberty -
Doing what it takes to make sure that our freedom is continuous.

7. Our posterity -
Think about the generations after you. Not in the way that the politicians claim. I mean really continually knowing that it takes self sacrifice for today to make tomorrow brighter. Teaching future generations the same responsibility as well as allowing them to have some difficulties. Those difficulties didn't kill us... it won't kill them.