Why?

Please, tell me...

Why is the express line, not very "express?"  Why is over-night delivery always 2nd day?  Why do yellow lights make people see red?  Why is urgent rarely important?

Why do we expect politicians to lie to us, and then get upset when they do?  Why do we complain about the quality and direction of government, then refuse to vote?  Why do we ask government to lower our taxes then complain when they reduce our services?  Why do so many parents think they can do a better job teaching than our teachers, but make so little effort at educating their children?

Why do we make vows we don't really intend to honor?  Why do we "honor" people we often don't respect?  Why are love and heartbreak two sides of the same coin?  Why do we swear on a book we don't revere?

Why are teachers accountable, but parents aren't?  Why do we need a license to marry, but not to parent? Why can a 15 year old get an abortion, but not a divers license?  Why do we mandate an education for "students" who won't try, don't care and refuse to cooperate?

Why do we feel sympathy for those with great need and outrage for those with great privilege?  Why is the Humane Society only about animals?  Why do we pretend everyone should be treated the same way, when we know that's not the way life really works?  Why do we act like everyone is born with the same set of genes, when we know that's just not true?  Why is "Affordable Health Care" so unaffordable?

Why does the right to privacy trump the right to life?  Why is profile a dirty concept when, if applied appropriately, it can save innocent life? Why does our Constitution work harder for criminals than for good citizens?  Why are some lives more valuable that others?

Why is justice such a fleeting ideal?

Tell me, please...

Eternity can wait...

A month of "thanks-giving"...November 2.

Dad died, July 1970, age 55. Mom died, December 1984, age 53. Never really expected to outlive them; THANKFUL to be on my way to my 6th decade...60 and counting.

God created us with eternity in our hearts; His preface and introduction for my "life" has exceeded my expectations.

God willing, eternity...can wait.

"...times that try men's souls."

"These are the times that try men's souls" wrote Thomas Paine in his pamphlet "The American Crisis" published Dec 23, 1776; the Colonies faced the almost certain prospect of defeat in their war for indpendence. Paine implored Americans "don't give up the fight."

As the curtain begins to drop on 2013: our economy continues to misfire, the world is a more dangerous place than ever, we face the prospect of a nuclear Iran--still, an ascendant China, troubling news about the future of Healthcare, poor leadership--on both sides of the aisle--from those we've elected to make good decisions; but the fact is that virtually every generation of Americans were forced to face down a crisis...and they survived, thrived and grew strong on the idea of the American Dream.

We must remember to "keep the main thing," the main thing. The "idea of America" has been the fuel driving our resolve to be "one nation, under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all;" an idea those who traveled this way before us thought to be worth sacrificing, fighting and dying for.  Indifference to this "big idea" is the real, the urgent threat to our liberty.

Resolve to do your part; work hard, make informed decisions, be a person of strong character, celebrate interdependence and respect people who disagree with you--but press them to think outside their "box" and you, think outside yours. Don't give in to tyranny, fear or indifference--be strong and of good courage. Let's leave a legacy that will inspire a new generation.