The Daily Enigma Report

Fear of the changing times seems compelling.  But, let's pause for a little reflection. A friend's mother traveled West aboard a covered wagon and flew home on a jet plane.  Imagine her view of change? And what of the Roaring Twenties? A decade that witnessed rampant hedonism, wild drug use, piercings and tattoos galore, near mainstream pornography, the rise of hardline American Communism and more.  It was America's romp on the wild side - a social rejection of Victorianism.  Sound familiar? I bet.  But, it's more than just noteworthy to remember those young folks of the twenties were the parents of what we now know of as America's greatest generation! We lament on how 'times have changed'.  Times always change. But, know this .... the American Dream is still alive for anyone willing to embrace it. 

The loss of life caused by Harvey and Irma, and the anniversary of 9-11 are each sad beyond words. But there's a great and powerful lesson to be learned from these tragedies. Race doesn't divide us - the media and people with selfish agendas do. We are better than they'd have us believe.  These last two weeks we've watched folks of every ethnic and religious background in America working together. Helping each other. That's who we ALL are - Americans.  Common Sense demands we walk away from anyone trying to divide us with idiotic identity labels. We've just witnessed Americans with more strength of character and humanity than those who seek to divide us will ever know.   We're not voting blocks, not names to be shuffled on a game board; and we're not so gullible as to buy into their ugly divisive nonsense - not anymore.  We are all Americans and we're smarter and stronger together. 

Lots of folks for the first time in generations fear their children's future will be less. Maybe that's true, but it's doesn't have to be.  The American family is under assault. We're told this is about lifestyle choices. Nonsense. Last year 48% of all births were to unwed mothers. Not all single parent families are bad, but such overwhelming numbers offer predictable results.  We must save the American family and return education to local control.  Teach your sons to be honorable men and your daughters to respect the women they'll become.  Teach them to be smart, to think forward, to understand that some decisions cannot be undone, that the best decisions usually require the most work.   And, about the gifts of marriage; the result of effort and of being true.  These things rather than the excitement of marriage and ease of divorce.  Folks, it's just common sense. If we don't save the American Family - nothing else  we say ...

Our Union of States continues to wrestle with a problem that predates our  founding. Unfortunately, the focus has morphed from healthcare to insurance. Not surprisingly, our founders focused on providing healthcare  on a state level with a mix of state and private funding. Guess what? It worked.  Ben Franklin's genius was rooted in common sense. In Pennsylvania he sought to gain healthcare for those that couldn't afford it - and he did.  Now we're focused on insurance while few can afford healthcare. No surprises here.  Hospitals with more administrative than medical staff; billing clerks with 4 year degrees and loads of lawyers on retainer. Healthcare? No, government insurance.  Common sense demands we begin again where Dr. Franklin left off. Get the federal government out of the insurance business and return the focus of citizens and state legislatures to healthcare. We already know this works. 

The media tells us how bad things are because of Trump's rhetoric. You think so? In 2004 I was exiting a President Bush Rally. By happenstance there were several classes of elementary school aged children, their teachers and a few parents walking out with me. We were met by protesters screaming outrageous vulgarities. Their signs read them.  In 2006  I was walking beside a republican float passing out candy. A mother instructed her three young children, "don't you take any candy from those - I can't say that word, folks.  I could go on with what I've witnessed in my years of volunteerism, but let me just offer one final example.  At a town hall gathering this week I watched a crowd of mostly leftist teachers rudely hissing at an 8 year old Girl Scout award recipient when she expressed excitement for a coming trip to the White House and chance to meet the President of the United States.  So, I ask you, is President Trump's temperament the problem? ...