Value of Conference Past

I was studying what our church leaders have had to say about our nations future and came across this Ezra Taft Benson conference talk from October of 1961.

"We must ever keep in mind that collectivized socialism is part of the communistic strategy. Communism is fundamentally socialism. When socialism is understood, we will realize that many of the programs advocated, and some of these already adopted in the U.S., fall clearly within the category of socialism. What is socialism? It is simply governmental ownership or management of the essential means for the production and distribution of goods. The socialistic-communistic conspiracy to weaken the U.S. involves attacks on many fronts. Their press and other propaganda media are therefore constantly selling the principles of centralized or federal control of farms, railroads, electric power, schools, steel, shipping, and many other aspects of the economy - but always in the name of public welfare.

What can priesthood holders do? We should become informed about communism, socialism and about Americanism. What better way can one become informed then by first studying the inspired words of the prophets and using them as a foundation against which to test all other material? We should know why collectivism or unnecessary federal supervision will hold our standard of living down and reduce productivity. We should know why the communist leaders consider socialism the high road to communism. We should treat socialistic-communism as the tool of Satan. We should follow the counsel of the President of the Church and resist the influence and policies of the conspiracy wherever they are found in the schools, in the churches, in government, in unions, in business, in agriculture.

We should help those who have been deceived or who are misinformed to find the truth. Unless each person who knows the truth will stand up and speak up, it is difficult for the deceived or confused citizen to find his way back. Thousands of patriotic Americans, including Latter-day Saints, have helped the communists without realizing it. Each priesthood holder should use his influence in the community to resist the erosion which is taking place in our political and economic life. He should see that his party is working to preserve freedom, not destroy it. He should join responsible local groups interested in promoting freedom and free competitive enterprise, in studying political issues, promoting good men in public office and scrutinizing local, state, and federal agencies. He should not wait for the Lord’s servants to give instruction for every detail. In doing these things, a member of the Church is not only making himself an opponent of the adversary, but a proponent of the Lord. May God give us the wisdom to recognize the threat to our freedom and strength to meet this danger." (Pres. Ezra Taft Benson - CR Oct 1961)

Looking Ahead

If you're a close follower of world events you have probably observed that we are all in some kind of bi-polar manic-depressive fit right now. One day we're up the next we're down. Geesh! does anybody got a Valium? So, instead of riding the roller coaster I think I'll attempt to look a little further ahead more often. It's not like I don't look ahead regularly, it has just been easier to get caught up in the short term lately with all the craziness going on every day. Sometimes I feel like I'm caught in a bad suspense movie, never knowing what bad news or unprecedented event lurks around the next corner. And I have to admit, I get caught up in it all sometimes. So it's time to try to look ahead, beyond all of the chaos and get back to some sort of normalcy. Although with so much day-to-day uncertainty it's kind of hard to get concrete plans and goals formed. I guess you just have to plan like nothing has changed and try you hardest to follow through. That's all you can really do. Then, if something comes in the way of that plan you improvise, adapt and do the best you can to move forward. These times are definitely inconvenient to say the least but we just have to confront it and push on.

You know, one thing about these times is that they are a great time for molding and strengthening the individual, if we will let them. I know that my convictions and sense of duty have been greatly enhanced and strengthened in the last seven years and especially in the last month or two. I have a renewed desire to increase my spirituality and education. I am more aware of what is going on in the world around me and my desire to be in unity with my wife, family, church and friends has been greatly increased. It may sound weird but it seems like it takes times like these for us to really make sense of who we are and why we're here. These times are perilous but they are also great. I would not have rather lived in any other time. This is the worst of times but it is also the best of times. I guess they go hand in hand.

Interesting Comentary On the Economy

THE REVELATION
OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE

CHAPTER 18

The saints are called out of Babylon lest they partake of her sins—She falls and is lamented by her supporters.

1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was ^alightened with his glory.

2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, ^aBabylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the ^bhold of every foul spirit, and a ^ccage of every unclean and hateful bird.

3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her ^afornication, and the kings of the earth have committed ^bfornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the ^cabundance of her delicacies.

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, ^aCome ^bout of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her ^csins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

5 For her ^asins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

6 ^aReward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived ^adeliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

8 Therefore shall her ^aplagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly ^bburned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who ^cjudgeth her.

9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall ^abewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the ^bsmoke of her burning,

10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and ^aslaves, and souls of men.

14 And the fruits that thy soul ^alusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

19 And they cast ^adust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city ^aBabylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the ^avoice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy ^bsorceries were all nations deceived.

24 And in her was found the ^ablood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Marxism: The New Trend?

I was reading an article today on ABC News about the renewed popularity of a book called The Communist Manifesto. It is becoming largely popular with the youth of Germany. The book was written by Karl Marx, the father of Communist thought. The publishing company in Germany that sells the book says it had been suffering in sales for many years, until now. The book started selling a few more copies annually in 2005, but in September of this year sales skyrocketed, selling more copies than they usually sell in an entire year. Hmmm...I wonder why the sudden revival of the famous/infamous commentary against capitalism is on the rise now? Just a thought.

The World View

I enjoy reading news articles from other nations news agencies. I think it gives you a better perspective on what is really going on in the world. I was reading the Serbian and Russian news today to get their take on current events around the world. It seems to be the sentiment those countries and most of Society that many of the worlds problems can be directly traced back to the U.S.'s economic and foreign policies. From NATO to the UN, nations around the world seem to be growing weary of our "western ideas" and this fact really comes out in their news reports. I don't particularly agree with their more pessimistic views and of course you have to take any news report with a grain of salt if from the U.S. or any other country, but I find it interesting to hear other nations commentary on what is going on in our country. I think it's good to get as many different points of view as possible on whatever the subject may be. Stepping out of the box once in a while can help solidify your own views and convictions.

When we were living in China we were really exposed to this idea of looking in from the outside, so to speak. Although censored by the central government, we still got a news report with a different point of view, or spin. You really get exposed to a more unbiased news report. At least when it comes to U.S. current events. It's refreshing to escape the same ole partisan spin that is so pervasive in the U.S. media. I'm not naive though, the Chinese put a whole different kind of spin on their reports by way of government censorship, but as a foreigner you are usually able to see through it most of the time. So, go get some other points of view. It's good for you.

Lunch Time

My lunch break was recently extended from 1/2 hour to a full hour so I have plenty of time to add to this blog. I don't really have much to say today. The world is still here, no one I know has lost their jobs or been forced from their homes. The stock market is wobbling to and fro like a drunken man. The Fed and other world leaders are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, attempting to stop what seems to be inevitable. I think at this point they are just trying to keep us from falling into complete economic chaos rather than looking for a economic cure all.

One thing of note, the EU has denounced American capitalism and announced this morning they are calling for a "new world order" and economy. I don't like the sound of that but I don't know enough details so I can't completely be opposed to it, yet. In general I am opposed to any kind of new world order of anything. I feel we should focus on how we can fix our own nations problems before we attempt to wrangle out the rest of the globes. Is there not a saying about pulling the mote out of your own eye before taking the beam out of your brothers? Anyway, it sounds like more of the same today. Life goes on, relatively unchanged for us here in Utah. If it wasn't for the news we wouldn't even know we were in a financial crisis. So I can't complain. Life is good. In fact, we are actually able to put some money away these days. Not so bad.

Upholding The Rights of Man

I know I probably get overly passionate about things sometimes, especially when it comes to the condition our still great but slightly declining nation. There has never been another nation to rival it. It was founded on principles of equity and tolerance by men of principle and conviction. The old world was a place of oppression, inequality, and hopelessness. Men and women were often ruled by children, being forced to wait for their kings and queens to grow up before they could even lead. Once grown there was no guarantee that these Monarchs would possess any form of wisdom or equity. New ideas were not welcomed and thinking outside of the box could mean your head. High taxes and manual labor were the norms of those days. Kings started wars of conquest to enlarge the reach of their tyrannical arm and to enlarge their pool of taxable subjects. They lived by parasitically oppressing their own people.

Our Constitution was a result of those dark times. A longing for wisdom, equality and justice expanded until it could no longer be shackled by the chains of the tyranny of the old world. With the promise of a new world came the hopes of a new way of life. A world where the rule of law would replace the rule of tyranny, where wisdom and humanity would replace foolishness and the inhumane. The oppression and darkness of millenias past finally gave way to a future of freedom and enlightenment. The Constitution was the social contract to insure this way of life in the new world. It guarantees the individuals rights to liberty and all of the inherent God given rights of man.

My adoration of our inspired Constitution is the reason I may get a little passionate when it comes to questions of liberty and freedom from oppression. How could it be wisdom to undo in a few decades what took many millenias to form. Our Constitution must be vigilantly defended and upheld regardless of times of crisis or peace. It is the only guarantee we have to live as a free people in this nation.

Capitalism for Sale: Trillions and Trillions

You may think I am going a little overboard when I say that we are in the (probably very long) process of swapping out Capitalist principles out for Marxist principles. But, I believe that is exactly what we are doing, if we realize it or not. The Fed's plan is now to buy ownership in "healthy" financial institutions in an attempt to inject capital into the banks and confidence to the markets. Nine major institutions have agreed to the Fed's plan "for the good of the American people." I am not saying this plan will not help the economy recover from some of the symptoms of its current debilitating sickness. Maybe it will fix all of our problems and usher us into a time of peace and economic Utopia. But, at what price? When the next great crisis hits America, what freedoms will we decide we can live without then? I feel we have set a precedent, first with the Patriot Act and now with the T.A.R.P., that will be very hard not to look to every time things are not going are way. Maybe I'm wrong and should just take a ride, on what I like to call, the Marxist Express. Maybe extraordinary times call for Socialistic...I mean extraordinary measures....not exactly how I remember that saying but it seems appropriate considering current circumstances. I guess only time will tell. By the way, if you disagree with me please feel free to slap some sense into me. Or at least feel free to expose the folly of my position.

You may not believe me, but I really do want this bailout to work, even though I have some major reservations on how it is being conducted. The fact of the matter is that this is the way it's going to be and there's nothing we can do to change that. Trillions of dollars, which our Nation has to borrow or print, are going to be pumped into the worlds financial institutions. Our taxes will raise and inflation, oil, and other commodities will most likely follow. This is just how it is. I accept that neither you or I have any power to change these facts. Only our votes this November 4th will have any changing voice in Washington. So, if our tax money is going to be spent in unprecedented obscene amounts I really really really hope this works. If not we're going to be out $3 trillion dollars and our economy will still be in the tank. Who wants that? Not me.

I guess we old fashioned Capitalists/Constitutionalists are just going to have to hunker down and hope we can hold onto some form of a free market in the weeks and years to come. If not, we will undoubtedly go on being upstanding and law abiding productive citizens, but I don't believe we will just "go quietly into the night." The constitution and free markets will always have a voice, however small that voice may become.

Voila!

It seems the Fed waved it's magic wand and the worse financial crisis since the Great Depression has disappeared. That's the impression you would get if you went by today's news. The Dow Jones Industrial is up nearly 1000 points and it seems that all our problems have vanished. The problem seems to have been solved by throwing more money at it. Wow! If only all our problems could be solved with obscene amounts of money. If we print enough money maybe we can buy world peace. I love money and how it just comes from nowhere. Remember how your parents used to tell you money doesn't grow on trees? Well, they may have been right but this is even better. Money doesn't grow on trees, it appears out of thin air! Like manna falling from heaven. By the way, the $700 billion dollar bailout is now projected to be more like $3 Trillion dollars. That's right, I said Trillion. Good thing our printing presses are warmed up. We are going to need them.

The Fed is now planning to offer "UNLIMITED DOLLARS" to banks, not only in the U.S., but around the world to attempt to inject capital, and they hope confidence, into the financial system. This new approach is most easily defined as the bailout on steroids. What I can't seem to wrap my mind around is this: If it doesn't make sense for the individual pay off debt by getting into more debt how then could it ever make any sense for the Federal Government to adopt this approach? The cold truth of the matter is we are going to have to pay for this one way or the other and the bill is going to be passed down to our children and grandchildren. That $3 Trillion dollars is going to come out of our pockets. So I hope you like taxes as much as I do because they're going nowhere but up up up.

Ever get the feeling we are losing something?

As the markets rise and fall and as the worlds economy seems to be nose diving into oblivion there is something else bothering me more, although I can't really put a finger on exactly what it is. As of now it's just a feeling that we are in the process of losing something, and I don't mean money. If I step back, clear my mind of all the noise out there, I begin to realize that we are in the middle of a fundamental shift as American's and citizens of the world as a whole.

I think it's the feeling that things will just never be the same as they were a month ago. It seems that someone has hit the fastforward button and we are racing to a new way of life. I am not opposed to change, when it is for the good. This is what is troubling to me. I don't have that happy warm feeling that this change is going to be for the good, but for the exact opposite. There is something foul in the air and it is turning my stomach. I have the feeling that after the stock market has long recovered and we are able to get ourselves in debt up to our eyeballs again, there will still be something else, more detrimental, hanging over the heads of all Americans. But, who knows, I may just be going crazy. But, I don't think I'm alone.

Thoughts in General

The world's troubling current events and those the uneasy feeling in all of our guts tell us will soon appear on the horizon have been weighing heavily on my and surely most of the worlds minds. Especially lately with the failing world economy, hurricanes, earthquakes, and so many nations preparing for some future conflict, which I think most of us feel is coming. If you don't step back, take a deep breath, and put everything in perspective once in a while, some are likely to lose their minds or at least suffer from some form of anxiety. (80% of Americans say they are overly stressed as a result of our current economic situation).

There are a lot of positive things going for us if we look for them. However, it seems we have to look a little harder these days, but the good is out there if we want to find it. I enjoyed General Conference last weekend. President Eyring's message of unity was especially comforting. It's good to know that in the middle of all the bad there is a call for unity of all the good. I am also comforted because I know what this is all leading to. They say that the night is always darkest just before Dawn, or something to that effect. I believe that. I don't think we're any where close to the darkest part of the night yet, but we're on our way. I also believe that the hardships we will undoubtedly go through will be a great humbling experience for many.American's can use a good dosage of humility and a good lesson or two about living within our means. When I think of the purging that is going on in the financial sector of the world, I keep coming back to an analogy of a overgrown forest that has caught fire. Sometimes you just have to let it burn and come the next spring the forest will grow back greener and healthier than ever before. Maybe that's the best remedy for the financial world; burn off the excess and let only the strong survive. That is nature after all. (One Darwinian ideas I happen to agree with). I don't have any deluded thoughts that this will be the approach taken, but it seems the most logical in my mind.

The Current Debacle

If you have had the feeling the people you voted into office don't really care about what you think you're not alone. 90% of Americans were against the $700 billion dollar bailout of Wall Street. One senator's office was flooded with 95,000 emails the day leading up House's vote on the bailout; 89,000 were against the plan. But, what do we know. After all, we are just common citizens who can't possibly understand the complexities of our current situation. Nonsense! We understood then as we do now. You don't ween an addict off drugs by giving him an overdose! So, needless to say most Americans are feeling quite disenfranchised from Capitol Hill. Congress and the White House are at the whim of interests groups and corporate lobbyists, and seem to disregard the citizens who put them in office. Our economy is in a 700 billion car train wreck because Washington and Corporate America only sees in green.

According to the French, the world is leaning over the precipice of economic collapse. The Dow Jones Industrial has lost nearly 35% of it's value from a year ago. Just in the last week it has shaved 22% off it's value. Despite the Treasuries attempts to rescue our ailing economy with the $700 billion bailout plan, the commercial paper buyout plan, and the Reserves early morning announcement of a 1/2% interest rate cut, the stock market continues to seesaw and credit market remains frozen. It seems the Fed's plan of simply dumping money on the problem is about as effective as hunting an elephant with a BB gun.

So what will happen to the icon of Capitalism that is the American economy. Not even the experts know. The appeal of Capitalism has undoubtedly been tarnished in the eyes of the world on account of the greed and irresponsibility of the few. This mess has encircled our "fearless" leaders in a storm they have never seen before. Economists cannot even agree as to the outcome of this storm. So, what is certain? Uncertainty. Yesterday Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve Chairman, told the press that our economic outlook is worse than even he thought. So just strap in and enjoy the ride. Where it ends no one knows.

The economy is at the forefront of these perilous times but it is far from the only menace to our peace and prosperity as Americans. Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela are all major threats we will most certainly be dealing with for a long time.

Russia and Venezuela have formed a partnership in which they hope to manipulate their neighbors by threatening to cut off their energy supplies. Russia controls a majority of the oil flowing to European continent and are planning to take over Georgia and Ukraine to tighten their grip on that hemispheres energy supplies. Venezuela has plans to begin cutting off the U.S. as one of their largest oil importers in attempt to strain our already tight energy supplies and force the price of gas higher and higher, putting additional strain on our economy. The two countries have also formed a military alliance. Russia has recently moved bombers and navy battleships to Venezuela and are planning joint maneuvers in the Caribbean in the coming months. France is in talks with Venezuela to develop a civilian nuclear program in that country as well.



By the way the Stock Market rallied for a short time today before free falling to -189, despite the interest rate cut, at the closing bell