Many refer to today's seniors as those who are of "The Greatest Generation". This statement is true in many respects. This group grew up post WWII, were some of the most patriotic of past Americans, and defended America while defeating Communism during the Cold Wars. These Americans grew up through often tough times and still prospered and stood strong. From my perspective they also have been around for some of the largest growth of government in U.S. History so I'm bias against calling them this but I digress. This generation might now have to stand strong and truly earn that title in the upcoming elections. Make no mistake about it, true budget changes might not come until after this next election.
Today our nation is facing some of the toughest questions in our nation's young history. European countries (ie: Greece), facing financial meltdowns are making major changes. Some are eliminating lots of government(responsible for these meltdowns) in their lives. But while these same financial crisis's are now being discussed here in America, some recent polls show that most might be against major reform to the Medicare and Social Security Systems in America. Furthermore, important states that are strongholds for conservatives, such as Florida, indicate that they are against major change. Other districts that include large numbers of Senior Citizens are against major change as we have seen in certain areas of New York. These are Seniors that most often vote for Republicans to begin with. But these new young Republican stars in congress that are proposing major changes to Medicare and Social Security might not get support from these staunch Republicans.
This blog might sound pro-Republican(in that I support some of these plans proposed by these Republicans) but keep in mind Republicans are partially to blame for the current crisis. My worry is that this "Greatest Generation" might prove to be no different from other generations. They might prove to have happened to grow up during a tough time in American history when many great things came about. They might be termed the "Greatest" due to circumstances they had no control over not because they did something special. We will soon find out.
Given that most young people who will be most hurt by these programs that will cause massive financial hardship in the future do not vote, and those who do often look to Hollywood, Comedy Central, MTV, and Musical stars for their voting expertise, we can not count on young people to turn out and show support for these plans to overhaul these failing programs. I do not blame Seniors for not wanting change, they benefit big time from my and others who pay for their healthcare and retirement. But if they want to truly be the "Greatest Generation" then we need them one more time to be great Americans and think with their brains and not with their hearts and desires. If that does not happen (and I am not optimistic that it will), then we need young American Libertarians and true conservatives (to support candidates who are willing to do the hard thing that will not win support from the large voting segment of the population (elderly).
People like Tim Pawlenty who have called for an end to subsidies in Iowa to corn farmers and a rise in age for social security benefits while in Florida need our support. This was courageous in that these are two issues that he is correct on all accounts but very much controversial to their respective states for the reason that Iowa is full of farmers, and Florida is full of Seniors. I'm not pledging my support... but if he stands by those issues... I might have to back him come November 2012
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
the mindset of today's athletes
To step aside from economics today, I want to dive into an issue that has been bothering me for sometime now. The mindset of many high school athletes today.
It bothers me, it eats at my insides, when I hear constant criticism of another team during competition. The baseball player comes off the field and says something along the lines of "his curve ball does not break", "he does not throw that hard at all", "he's got nothing!" And that after popping out, grounding out, or even striking out.
Earlier this year: "the kid from Sequoyah you talked about, he was really not that good, I was not that impressed." "He did not really throw that hard." "I felt like you talked him up too much". I was thinking oh my so what was the score? "8-0". Well I suppose if you put up 8 runs against him, maybe he had a bad day or is not as good as I thought. Then find out "no... we lost 8-0!" What? Yes after getting shut out by a pitcher players have the audacity to act as if he was nothing after being embarrassed by him and the team. Oh, and that kid is wanted by Walters State, one of the top 5 teams in the nation in JUCO D1.
I go to Sequoyah last week and run into a couple former players. One of which constantly talked down about the players of the other team. One of which is really good.
I just don't understand why most athletes today, when losing, try to make them feel better about themselves by talking the others down. I don't know that they do so on purpose. I just know that it bothers me. When I played Anderson County had two really good pitchers. Loudon had a couple really good players. And there was Kingston, a team with a kid that got on people's nerves. Very cocky player, a guy that few really liked that much from the outside (no one really knew him that well). Yet each of those players were bragged on by us. They all could play. We knew it. When they struck us out or popped us up, the phrases used were: "his fastball is not overpowering but it moves a lot so get your hands thru". "His curve ball is not 12-6 but it does break pretty good". "He got me on the high fastball when you get behind he is going to try and throw it past you". At worst: "Its not as hard as it looks from here, but get in the back of the box, its still coming pretty fast."
This is just how we talked. Especially after getting out (which often happened to me). We had respect for the other team and the players. I don't know that these players actually feel that their opponents are not that good. I wonder if they are just embarrased, jealous, or so insecure with themselves that they have to bring others down to make them feel better about themselves.
Do not get me wrong, I am critical of people. I have high standards and often put other people down(although usually in a jokingly manner). But the last 2-5 sporting events I have been to have involved in each contest statements like that. And most often from the team that loses.
I don't know... its just something that bothers me about the mindset of many of our athletes today.
It bothers me, it eats at my insides, when I hear constant criticism of another team during competition. The baseball player comes off the field and says something along the lines of "his curve ball does not break", "he does not throw that hard at all", "he's got nothing!" And that after popping out, grounding out, or even striking out.
Earlier this year: "the kid from Sequoyah you talked about, he was really not that good, I was not that impressed." "He did not really throw that hard." "I felt like you talked him up too much". I was thinking oh my so what was the score? "8-0". Well I suppose if you put up 8 runs against him, maybe he had a bad day or is not as good as I thought. Then find out "no... we lost 8-0!" What? Yes after getting shut out by a pitcher players have the audacity to act as if he was nothing after being embarrassed by him and the team. Oh, and that kid is wanted by Walters State, one of the top 5 teams in the nation in JUCO D1.
I go to Sequoyah last week and run into a couple former players. One of which constantly talked down about the players of the other team. One of which is really good.
I just don't understand why most athletes today, when losing, try to make them feel better about themselves by talking the others down. I don't know that they do so on purpose. I just know that it bothers me. When I played Anderson County had two really good pitchers. Loudon had a couple really good players. And there was Kingston, a team with a kid that got on people's nerves. Very cocky player, a guy that few really liked that much from the outside (no one really knew him that well). Yet each of those players were bragged on by us. They all could play. We knew it. When they struck us out or popped us up, the phrases used were: "his fastball is not overpowering but it moves a lot so get your hands thru". "His curve ball is not 12-6 but it does break pretty good". "He got me on the high fastball when you get behind he is going to try and throw it past you". At worst: "Its not as hard as it looks from here, but get in the back of the box, its still coming pretty fast."
This is just how we talked. Especially after getting out (which often happened to me). We had respect for the other team and the players. I don't know that these players actually feel that their opponents are not that good. I wonder if they are just embarrased, jealous, or so insecure with themselves that they have to bring others down to make them feel better about themselves.
Do not get me wrong, I am critical of people. I have high standards and often put other people down(although usually in a jokingly manner). But the last 2-5 sporting events I have been to have involved in each contest statements like that. And most often from the team that loses.
I don't know... its just something that bothers me about the mindset of many of our athletes today.
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