Tell Your Senator to Vote NO on Menendez-Isakson Amendment #857 to Increase Government Involvement in Mortgages
Image via Wikipedia
Stop taxpayer funding of expensive homes by connie and freddie. Vote no on Menendez-Isakson.
–As one of our million-plus FreedomWorks members nationwide, I urge you to contact your senator and ask him or her to vote NO on the Menendez-Isakson Amendment #857 to the “mini-bus” spending bill. This vote may happen tonight or tomorrow.
–This amendment reverses the very, very small progress that has been made in reducing the federal government’s role in the mortgage market. It is well known that federal interference in the mortgage and housing markets, especially by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, played a central role in creating the housing boom and bust and the financial crisis. It’s time to free the housing market from government intervention. This amendment does the opposite.
–The primary purpose of this amendment is to increase the amount the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) can insure and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase. On October 1, this amount went down from around $730,000 to $625,500 in some markets, lower in others, but just back to where it was before these limits were dramatically increased at the beginning of the current housing crisis. This was an expiration of the increase, not something that took any initiative on Congress’ part.
–This is clearly not a program aimed to help the poor who cannot afford housing—we’re talking about the government getting involved in the housing market to help those who want to buy very expensive houses. At a time when we are supposed to be looking for ways to reduce the government’s role in places it should not be, this should not be a controversial place to start. Government entities now account for 88 percent of all new mortgages. At a time where the American people are again asking where the federal government gets the authority in the Constitution to do certain things, helping the well-off buy expensive houses is tough to justify. The longer the government intervenes in the housing market, the longer the housing correction will take.
Click here to see FreedomWorks’ key vote against the amendment.
Key Vote NO on Menendez-Isakson Amendment #857 to Increase Government Involvement in Mortgages | FreedomWorks
Image via Wikipedia
How long can this kind of government involvement in mortgages continue without the chickens coming home to roost?
This is clearly not a program aimed to help the poor who cannot afford housing—we’re talking about the government getting involved in the housing market to help those who want to buy very expensive houses.At a time when we are supposed to be looking for ways to reduce the government’s role in places it should not be, this should not be a controversial place to start. Government entities now account for 88 percent of all new mortgages.
LEADERSHIP TAKES A HIKE
Image via Wikipedia
True North Adventures Outdoors Education’s leadership development program uses hiking in the mountains of Montana and experiential learning to develop the character of those who willingly follow. Leadership, and four CORE VALUES of . . .
|
Living for the Greater Good Dreaming Big Ownership Teamwork |
The CORE VALUES are surprisingly well integrated by Keith MacMurdie into every aspect of this unique outdoor, real-time education:
- how to use a compass
- understanding map scale
- how to transfer a compass to a map
- how to orient a map
- taking a field bearing
- boxing a compass
- orienteering ( How about this Chinese orienteering wedding ! )
Just over six years ago Keith created True North Adventures Outdoor Education from a dream to a functioning, healthy reality. His desire was to demonstrate what can result when employees are introduced to the four core values, through TNAOE in the the most impartial, automatic feedback classroom of all . . . NATURE . . . 
. Successful graduates can go on to lead well, creating a healthy, expanding business culture.
True World Group / True World Foods has recognized the quality and usefulness of True North’s Outdoor Education’s experiential training program and has been sending several teams from their nationwide operation. They believe this will result in benefits for the individual, those whom they lead and serve, the company’s business culture and ultimately . . . society’s well being.
Resources: —————————————————————–
Quotes from the Chairman, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, who believes passionately in the need to educate leaders in character and that nature is the best place to do just that. . . and . . .
The Truth About Leadership: The No-fads, to the Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know
Publisher’s Summary
In these turbulent times, when the very foundations of organizations and societies are being shaken, leaders need to move beyond the pessimistic predictions, the trendy fads, and the simplistic solutions. They need to turn to what’s real and what’s proven, to understand what the evidence tells us about how exemplary leaders get extraordinary things done. This is the imperative that best-selling, award-winning authors James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner have undertaken in their engaging, personal, and bold new audiobook, The Truth About Leadership.
Leadership Takes A Hike
This Insurance video (currently on TV) shows the lighter, brighter side of hiking. An opportunity to grow in appreciation of nature, others and yourself as we DREAM BIG. This video speaks of trust. Trust is a value which appears when there is true leadership. True North Adventures Outdoors Education’s leadership development program uses hiking in the mountains of Montana and experiential learning to develop the character of those who willingly follow. Leadership, and four core values of . . .
- Living for the greater good / others
- Dreaming big
- Ownership
- Teamwork
are surprisingly well integrated by Keith MacMurdie into every aspect of this unique outdoor, real-time education:
- how to use a compass
- understanding map scale
- how to transfer a compass to a map
- how to orient a map
- taking a field bearing
- boxing a compass
- orienteering ( How about this Chinese orienteering wedding ! )
Just over six years ago Keith created True North Adventures Outdoor Education from a dream to a functioning, healthy reality. His desire was to demonstrate what can result when employees are introduced to the four core values, through TNAOE in the the most impartial, automatic feedback classroom of all . . . NATURE . . . . Successful graduates can go on to lead well, creating a healthy, expanding business culture.
True World Group / True World Foods has recognized the quality and usefulness of True North’s Outdoor Education’s experiential training program and has been sending several teams from their nationwide operation. They believe this will result in benefits for the individual, those whom they lead and serve, the company’s business culture and ultimately . . . society’s well being.
Resources: —————————————————————–
Quotes from the Chairman, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, who believes passionately in the need to educate leaders in character and that nature is the best place to do just that. . . and . . .
The Truth About Leadership: The No-fads, to the Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know
Publisher’s Summary
In these turbulent times, when the very foundations of organizations and societies are being shaken, leaders need to move beyond the pessimistic predictions, the trendy fads, and the simplistic solutions. They need to turn to what’s real and what’s proven, to understand what the evidence tells us about how exemplary leaders get extraordinary things done. This is the imperative that best-selling, award-winning authors James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner have undertaken in their engaging, personal, and bold new audiobook, The Truth About Leadership.
Leadership : Having Vision
By Mike Lewis / Transworld Business
I liked this article about Leadership. The ‘mountain’ theme in their delivery is effective and the revival of the leader ‘spunk’ is handy. Anyone who has climbed or has led a company can appreciate the writer’s point, “Regardless of which peak you choose to summit, make sure you own it. “ My final note: That goes for family, too.
Effective leaders know vision. Without it, forward thinking doesn’t exist. And without forward thinking? You and your company go nowhere. Even if you’ve heard it all before and do your best to avoid the conversation, you know it’s important. Don’t fight it. Embrace it. Own it. Live it!
Enter: analogy. Picture a mountain. Any mountain. If you’re athletic, think Kilimanjaro. If you’re not, think Kilimanjaro. That’s right-why not? Look up at that wonderful, scary and audacious summit. To climb to the top is a far reaching goal. Attainable? Absolutely. You just need the tools, resources and training necessary to make the climb. That’s the plan for your journey. Oh … and don’t forget about a positive attitude. Leaders have an attitude that they can and will reach the top. You have to when you suffer through the first bout of altitude sickness. It’s part of the journey.
Enter: reality. Whether you need a refresher on your own personal vision or that of your company, as a leader, you know that vision means long term. Being the best. Surpassing your competition. It may be far reaching, but definitely attainable. And it shouldn’t change. The worst thing you can do is switch up your vision every two years. That summit is not going to change. Maybe a few rocks will move here and there, but it will always be there for others on your team to conquer… even if you, yourself, are detained from the climb. The most successful leaders are those who keep their companies focused on the vision they set out to achieve. Working towards that long term goal is crucial to the health and wealth of your company. That focus translates to strength. And that strength leads to success. The point? Don’t mess with vision.
What you should be messing with is your strategy. This is constantly evolving … just like the journey of your climb. If the route you planned is blocked, you have to think strategically about how to get around, over or through the obstacle to keep moving forward towards that summit. Markets change, the economy throws curve balls and new regulations pop up all the time. You have to be strategic. You have to be prepared. And you most certainly have to know how to effectively lead your people through all of it. Your people and your vision are counting on you.
Still need some convincing? Then again, you’re still reading, so that’s a good sign. Let’s go backwards for a minute. When you first started your company or became a member of the leadership team, you were sharing some type of vision to sell people on your business or to get you hired. And you were probably pretty passionate about it at the time. Think back to those good ‘ole days. What were you passionate about? Why were you passionate about it? What motivated you? Why such spunk? Why couldn’t they keep their eyes off you when you spoke? Now bring that fire to today. Where can you go? What can you achieve? Will it be Kilimanjaro? Or maybe … dare we say … you’re ready for Everest.
Regardless of which peak you choose to summit, make sure you own it. Own the possibility, the journey and the leadership of your people. Remember, your people and your vision are counting on you.
Leadership Means…Having Vision | TransWorld Business
God’s North Wind Blows from Brownback Mountain, MT
While preparing for a hiking trip up Brownback Mountain, MT , considered the Southern approach to the a bearded figure as if blowing South from the North appeared. If you look even more closely you can see his left forearm raised to as if to guide the North Wind over his outstretched palm.
Here are some images and thoughts concerning the North Wind, God man.
Elihu, the Spirit-filled young man, told Job:
"Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty." Job 37:22
The word terrible means "to stand in awe and reverential fear". When God’s fair weather returns to the earth, we are going to stand in awe and reverence of the majesty God is going to display in His people.
Solomon declared the North Wind:
"The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits." Ecclesiastes 1:6
The North Wind blows from the throne of God bringing deliverance. Solomon wrote that it whirleth about continually. God’s deliverance and refreshment are in the earth continually. As judgment comes from God, so does deliverance. God’s judgment wind will blow, but the South Wind will bring the time of refreshment, and God will send deliverance by the North Wind. It is only because of our wickedness and our carnal mind we do not partake of the North and South wind in our lives. God has made it continually available to us, only we have not come into a place to receive it. Solomon spoke again of the continual whirling of the North and South Winds:
"Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant fruits." Song of Solomon 4:16
Interview of Milingo at ’Defining Moment’
Excerpt from The Defining Moment Television Talk Show interview with Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, Former Roman Catholic Archbishop of Lusaka, Zambia & Founder of Married Priests Now! Hosted by Bret Moss.
Intelligent Design as a "Science Stopper"?
Image by the mad LOLscientist via Flickr
Michael Flannery August 20, 2011 1:22 PM |
It is almost a mantra among Darwin’s most devoted followers: Intelligent Design is a "science stopper." High Priestess of the Darwinian faithful Eugenie Scott insists that "Intelligent design is a science stopper. It stops science in its tracks because you stop looking. And I don’t think that’s a very good lesson to teach students" (see her comments in PBS Religion & Ethics).
What is a much worse lesson, however, is to teach students that the philosophical underpinnings of an argument can be sloughed over and that history doesn’t matter. Yet that’s precisely what the "science stopper" argument does — it ignores its own a priori philosophical assumptions and actually stops historical inquiry as if the past doesn’t matter. It, in effect, loosens science from its logical moorings and strips it from all historical context, making it into little more than an ideological tool for a dogmatic methodological naturalism (MN). Read More
Hilton Head Island, SC Vacation June 2011
Image by Lee Coursey via Flickr
Wed. June 15th Sunset . . . Music
A month ago I was surprised by an email from my sister-in-law in Texas. $200 to stay a week at Hilton Head Island’s, Marriott Vacation Land condo. Even though there were many others her email I still managed to secure it a few days later. [I wonder if she intended it that way?] She had neat explanation about others who couldn’t for this reason or that. Anyway, it had the effect of not making me feel singled out for some sort of charity. I’m sure the intentions were for our family to have a good time. However, Toshiko is focused on feeding our bank account after two weeks in Japan. Miyuki and Hideyuki are at Horizon Summer Camp in Georgia. Mari’s focused and preparing to move to Nashville, TN late July.
For me . . . a harmonizing respite for the ship’s captain, retreating to his cabin, looking over the charts, checking the compass and the horizon to prepare for another day. Adieu.
Head Wing : Mankind’s Parental Ideology
Image via Wikipedia
From the beginning the ‘parents’ have not known how to guide their children into the new world beyond themselves.
"In uniting the left and right wings, the endeavors of one side, whether
left or right, would not suffice. Instead, the head wing must emerge at this
point, which is why we are talking about the emergence of head-wing thought.
Humanism and materialism, which assert human beings to be the greatest of
all beings, would be of no use here. They would not be adequate at all. We
need to revert to the path based on God‘s will and centered upon His
original heart. The question is how we can present these issues to the world
and connect the cultural backgrounds of the East and West, which are
presently alienated from each other.
True peace for humanity cannot be attained by the right wing or left wing
alone. The reason for this is that the fundamental motives of both right and
left are not free from egoism. If people are self-centered and
nationalistic, there will be everlasting conflicts of interest, and unity
and peace could not possibly be found there.
… the left- and right-wing ideologies … are in the position of the
brother ideologies of Cain and Abel. So a new ideology should emerge from
the East as the way of the Parent. Centering upon the Parents and Asia, left
and right must unite. The Way of the Parent is none other than head-wing
thought. Thus, when the head wing tells the left and right, "You are wrong!"
they will answer, "Yes, we are," and when it tells them, "Listen to me!"
they will answer, "Yes, of course." Everything will then work out fine. When
told that what the parents are asserting is much better than what they are
claiming, and that they should follow the parents, they will answer, "Yes."
The path of restoration is not easy at all. Now is the era marking the end
of left and right. As he breathed his last, between the thieves on his left
and right, Jesus left behind on earth lasting parental grief. Thus, unless
we, with the God-centered way of the Parent and head-wing thought, discuss
the realm of unity at a place that is free from the accusations of the left
or the right, and thus create an environment in which, instead of
retreating, we continuously march forward, God’s kingdom cannot be
established. Such is the time now. In this sense, I have come forth with
Godism and head-wing thought, and am working to digest the divisive left-
and right-wing ideologies.
What is head-wing thought? Left and right wings are in constant conflict
because there is no head figure. Thus, if there were a head figure, it would
be possible to combine the three ideologies of head-wing thought, left-wing
thought and right-wing thought into an integrated whole. Isn’t that so? Then
what would be the central figure of this integrated ideology? However much
you think this through, you will finally conclude that the head is the root
of the entire nervous system and the central nerve of the body, and as such,
nothing could be done without it. Then what, or who, would be the root of
roots? No one knows the answer to this question. The root of roots is God:
head-wing thought comes from God.
Left- and right-wing ideologies should get along with each other like twins
who, even when they are held together in their mother’s bosom and are made
to share her milk, do not try to kick at each other but are willing to
change places if need be. If Adam and Eve do not stand in the position of
having loved in such a manner in God’s bosom, His kingdom cannot emerge.
You must follow only God and the True Parents and nothing else. Otherwise,
you will not be able to establish the original heavenly tradition in the
satanic world. Satan is not part of the heavenly tradition, so he cannot
last long. As the time for this tradition is coming, his end is drawing
near, and so the end for Kim Il-sung, the Soviet Union and even the United
States will soon be in sight. Only my God-centered ideology will remain in
this world as head-wing thought. It is the head wing. With the right wing on
the right hand and the left wing on the left hand, standing on an equal
level with each other, and the head wing on top to manage them both, all it
will need will be for them to make a 180-degree turn. On the day that the
left stands on the right and the right on the left, everything will be
completed.
The whole world, not just Korea, is in chaos due to the collapse of values.
Up until this time, to such a world I have emphasized the importance of
absolute values based on love … I have proclaimed head-wing thought and
have guided this world to rectify the wrongs of the left and right wings, so
that we could all advance into a new and better world…We should strive to
achieve, through Godism and head-wing thought, not only the unification of
our homeland, but also the elimination of the cultural gap between East and
West, as well as the economic gap between North and South. This is the first
step in building a world of peace, where global humanity becomes one great
extended family of true love. (
We need to reunify divided South and North Korea and bridge the economic gap
that exists between the two states. We have to unify the cultures of East
and West. We must do away with racial and cultural discrimination and become
all-unifying. Through what then can we be united? The world has been
deprived of the one absolute love, so once we are firmly established on
earth through that love, the cries of opposition … are bound to disappear.
All the peoples of this world, regardless of gender and age, would be
enveloped as one body in this great blanket of love, and all the people in
the spirit world would want to be wrapped up in this blanket as well! Thus,
cosmic unification through the application of head-wing thought is not just
mere words, but something that will be accomplished! Amen!"
http://www.tparents.org/Moon-Books/SunMyungMoon-CSG/CSG-10-03-04.htm
Cheon Seong Gyeong Daily Reading:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=84419887335
