Obama Administration further alienates Israel and seeks to tighten it's strangle hold.

The saga continues in America's rapid decline.

Check out this article - Obama is considering sanctions against Israel

Friends.....what will it take to wake America up?

Presient Obama makes bold moves to send Israel a message

President Obama stops shipments of Hell fire missiles to Israel....
Here we go folks.... American "leadership" further alienating Israel.

Whitehouse stops missile shipment to Israeli Air Force.

What's next? Things are not looking good and more "anti-Israeli" attitude being displayed by the Whitehouse.

"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
Genesis 12:3

Get READY - it's coming!

Things are falling.....out of place....but in place with predictions

Remember way back in November of 2012, when I got crazy and made some wild predictions about America's future? Read it Here.

Since then we've seen a lot of changes in America and the rest of the world - and mostly all of them are bad. Back in 2012, I told you that the American dollar would eventually collapse. I know, I know....Most everyone avoids this topic because 1) it scares people and 2) people are afraid that they will be labeled as a fanatic. Well, I don't care. The collapse of the US Dollar is coming. You don't need an ivy league degree in economics to be able to see it. When President Obama leaves office, we'll be staring at over $20 trillion in national debt. That number doesn't even consider the amount of unfunded federal liabilities - which total over $100 trillion.  I will further address the realities of the Dollar's future in my next post. Trust me - things are only looking worse for the US Dollar. As a preview - take a look at the new deal the Swiss made with China on the currency exchange. Ever wonder what would happen if the world stopped using the US Dollar as the reserve currency?

But I also told you that "America" would eventually turn its back on Israel. Some of you took issue with that prediction, but as we have seen since then it appears to be coming true.

President Obama publicly announced to the world that he wants Israel to return to the pre-1967 borders.
For the sake of your reading time, and my typing time we won't analyze the catastrophic consequences of Israel being forced to do something that suicidal. I encourage you to research it and see what it would mean for Israel. In short, it would make her essentially defenseless from all her enemies - and she has MANY.

But since the latest outbreak of fighting between HAMAS and Israel, we've seen President Obama and his administration further alienate Israel. John Kerry being sent over to demand a ceasefire, that was based upon the demands of HAMAS (an Islamic terrorist organisation). Nancy Pelosi has called HAMAS a "humanitarian organization" - that shows either that she is completely inept or its a message to Israel that they are losing their closest ally.

For further evidence, check out this report and interview with Lt Col Oliver North.

Keep your eyes on this - and make sure you re-read my post from November 7, 2012 and take heed to the recommended actions I listed there. It's coming. Maybe sooner than we thought.

Are you ready?

The Hobby Lobby case - what you are not being told....

The Supreme court will issue its ruling today on the most talked about case in regards to the new Obama disaster called the Affordable Care Act. Regardless of which side of the argument you stand on, its only fair to get the facts straight.

Their is a very good article already published that does that and you can read it here: False Perceptions about the Hobby Lobby Case


The take away points are:
1) Hobby Lobby is not anti-contraception.
They are not trying to deprive women of any of their rights. Hobby Lobby supports 16 of the 20 forms of contraception. Its the "Morning-after pills" they have a problem with. Who can blame them?

2) Hobby Lobby is not asking for any kind of special treatment. Its a privately held company in a FREE country. Starbucks CEO told one of his stockholders that same thing in regards to the stockholders support of traditional marriage.

3) Hobby Lobby is NOT asking for a deviation from Federal Law.
In 1993, the Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. "RFRA established that the federal government cannot burden religious liberty, even with a generally applicable law that applies to everyone, unless there is a compelling government interest (which must relate to Constitutional issues) and the law burdens religion in the least restrictive means possible."

Let's face it - ACA is another way the Government abuse of power is bullying Americans and stripping us of all our constitutional rights.


The President lied about almost everything promised in the Affordable Care Act campaign.
It is so disastrous that he keeps delaying it and not even his supporters want it implemented (my guess is to get past the elections in November).

To date, over 1200 exemptions for the Affordable Care Act have been granted - to include Unions.
That should tell you something.....

ACA - should be repealed in its entirety and replaced with something more AFFORDABLE and Constitutional.

Check it our for yourself here: USA Today Article

Scandal, Scandal, everywhere a Scandal

If you are like me it is almost impossible to keep up with all the scandals currently coming out of the Obama Administration. There are many more qualified than I am that could speak to a path forward with each of them, so I will leave that to the legal experts.

What I can say is that we are witnessing an arrogant disregard for United States law unlike any other in history. I believe it to be an intentional display of disobedience on the part of the current President of the United States. The United States Constitution states clearly that the president "shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed:” In this constitutional requirement there is no room for his personal opinion regarding the law. Why? Well, because the Executive Branch doesn't "make the laws". The Congress does. 

The list of laws the president is ignoring or refusing to enforce is too exhaustive for the purpose of this article. Suffice to say that there are multiple clear opportunities for legal impeachment. Will that happen? No, because 1) the House of Representatives doesn't have the integrity or the backbone to follow through with that. 2) The Senate is all part of the President's regime and would never impose the outcome should the House impeach. 3) The nation is too divided - largely due to ignorance and political brainwashing.

He released 5 Taliban Commanders without congressional approval. The repulsive Veterans Administration Scandals, the unresolved issue of Benghazi – Nope it won’t just go away. There are 4 Dead Americans that demands answers. Was the Administration “gun running” to the “rebels” in Syria that are now part of the Iraq invasion by ISIS? The IRS….oh my the IRS. 

The Lois Lerner’s refusal to testify – should tell you a great deal about just how big the scandal is.
There is the case of the “missing” emails, which has just now been brought up. Earlier in the year, they stated they had all the emails. Now they are saying a hard drive failure on Mrs. Lerner’s computer caused the emails to be gone forever. Now six other IRS officials now claim their emails are all gone during that same time.  The IRS Chief, John Koskinen, claims that “emails shouldn't be considered official documents” anyway.

How could any intelligent person accept all this as mere coincidence??? Anyway…. Emails are stored, and managed on a server. Large corporate email servers, such as Exchange Server, have technology that prevents things like this from happening. Database Availability Groups, multiple Client Access Servers, Snapshots, Disk backups, tape backups and so on. Any half way decent service level agreement will include a disaster recovery plan ensuring that data is accessible no matter what. That is unless of course the organization is riddled with complete incompetence. The IRS claims that the “old” emails are stored on the user’s local hard drive. This is a common practice of email archiving and utilizing a .pst file (Personal Storage Table). Many people archive emails when their inbox gets full in order to free up space.

This however is NOT an excuse not to have the data somewhere. Most anyone of importance would store a copy of the PST file on a storage server, a file server that simply has a “folder” where files and documents can be stored. Organizations with any decent enterprise architecture and management plan will back up those file servers also for long term storage. But there is another problem. The Federal Records Act requires that official documents be maintained, even including printing of official records and keeping the printed copies also. But according to Mr. Koskinen the email isn't considered “official”. 

That’s where the IRS’s OWN rules contradict the director’s statement. The Internal Revenue Manual, 01-010-003, clearly declares that they ARE in fact official records. Don’t take my word for it – read it here: http://www.irs.gov/irm/part1/irm_01-010-003.html 

1.10.3.2  (08-30-2012)
Security/Privacy

1. Email messages are official documents and should reflect this perspective. Email communications can be offered as evidence in court and can be legally binding. Before sending an email, you must consider how it reflects on the Service's image and take into account privacy, records management, and security factors.

They now are also claiming that “they don’t have the money to search for the emails”. Yeah right….this is coming from the organization that spent $4.1 million on a single conference in 2010, including gifts for all in attendance, and a whopping $27,500 on a single speaker. Give me a break. Someone should go to prison. If this involved the Whitehouse, then we have to know. 

What we are witnessing in America is a gross abuse of power and something must be done.
It’s time that Washington DC and the rest of the world hear your voice. It’s time to be loud. It’s time to be direct. If you have never had an interest, if you have never gotten involved, then this message is for you. The Government is still works for “we the people”….so does the President. I tremble to think what would happen if this arrogant disregard for the US Constitution be allowed to continue unchecked. 
Any leader that willfully bypasses the legal balance of powers is not a president, they are a dictator.

America NEEDS you - speak up. Write, call and demand that your congressman and senators intervene and stop this nonsense. Someone has to have to guts to speak out.


“The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought.” – Samuel Adams 1771

The downward spiral continues.....

You guys remember this? November 7, 2012

There are currently so many scandals popping up that it is almost impossible to keep up with them all.

Buried somewhere down in the middle of them is the July 1, 2014 implementation date for a little known law called  Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA. What the heck is that?

Well, it was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010 in order to force foreign banks to disclose what Americans had accounts with them and how much they have in those accounts.
It was originally marketed by the administration to the public as an effort to “stop tax evaders hide money overseas”. Now in terms of Americans putting money in private overseas accounts is a debate for another day. For now, we need to focus on the potential (and probable) impact on the U.S. Dollar when this new law takes effect.

Mind you, just like the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) the Administration has announced that it will delay strict enforcement until after the 2015 year. One could make the assumption that this is for fear of the disastrous impacts these new laws could have on the elections, once the public sees the full cost and consequences.

Nevertheless, the law requires all foreign banks to scour accounts for Americans and provide full disclosure of those accounts to the United States Department of Treasury, ultimately to the IRS.
What’s the big deal you ask? Well, besides the obvious overreach of the Federal Government, this could have terminal consequence upon the U.S. Dollar. This law places the U.S. Dollar and an even HIGHER risk of losing its current status as the world’s reserve currency.

"The amount of time remaining to achieve the effective, full implementation of Fatca is woefully inadequate," SIFMA warned in an April letter to the Treasury. "If banks and securities firms are not afforded sufficient time for an effective implementation of FATCA, [the association] believes that adverse consequences could include severe disruptions to global and U.S. financial markets."

Most of these foreign financial institutions are not only worried about the loss of customers, but also the sheer cost.  A recent survey of major members of industry group the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, or SIFMA, showed that banks would spend about $1 billion in 2013 and 2014 on FATCA compliance. Or somewhere in the neighborhood of $7,000 per account.

Why would a bank want to pay that kind of cash just to make the IRS happy? Could it be cheaper to just stop doing business in the U.S. Dollar all together and create a global currency to replace it?

Most think so……

What would that do to the dollar? Loss of the reserve status would be the last struggle of breath for the old greenback. Get ready.... 

Is the US Economy really on the rebound?

Warning - this article may be considered troubling. :-)

The reality in America and that is 99.999% of all Americans have no idea at just how much financial trouble the "we" as a Nation, are currently in.

The dollar is a debt-based currency produced by Banks masking as a federal entity called the "Federal Reserve" and is really only valuable because it’s the reserve currency for the world - but it is only that because it is the "petrodollar".

The only thing that keeps the world interested in the dollar is the fact that you must have the dollar to purchase an oil from OPEC. If the country producing oil tries to change the currency to something else - the get a large visit from the US military. Note: Saddam changed to the Euro in 2000 - we invaded in 2003 and switched the trading back to the Dollar which meant a 15 - 20% loss of revenue due to the value of the dollar vs. the euro. Qaddafi tried to organize a new gold backed Dinar for oil trade - and we ousted him in 2011. Iran is currently in the view finder...

Here is the plain truth - The dollar - is mathematically certain to collapse. The only question is when. I am pretty certain that the Dollar and the Euro share the same fate – because they are both debt based currencies controlled by their respective central banks.

Because of things like fractional reserve banking - the Fed ensures that there is always more debt than there is money - essentially making it the largest financial con in world history. In a debt based currency, Governments have to keep coming back to the banks to borrow more and more money. This creates and endless cycle of debt that eventually gets so large that it is impossible to service that debt. Then the currency collapses.

Everything you see right now is smoke and mirrors. The "Stock Market" itself is a system largely built in "smoke and mirrors". The chance of the US Dollar's long term survival is zero percent.

Now, why would I make a bold and some would say "crazy" statement like that??

The reported US Debt is currently right at $17 Trillion - but that number doesn't take into account the total number of unfunded federal liabilities which is somewhere around $90 to $110 Trillion. That means our REAL National debt would be some where in the neighborhood of $130 Trillion. Keep in mind that these are estimates - as different people give different numbers. But what we know for sure is that the amount of our debt is very...very...big.

That puts our total debt at a place that is mathematically impossible to reach.

How much is a trillion? It is a difficult number to understand - because it is so large. It helps if we convert it to time...then you can see how large it really is.

1 Million seconds = 12 days

1 Billion Seconds = 32 years

1 Trillion Seconds = 32,000 years

Now - multiply that times 130(ish) and convert it back to dollars.

I am not really a conspiracy theorist or a "doomsday" prophet - I am just a normal educated guy that feels an overwhelming calling to "sound the alarm".
I do my best to be direct and I don't sugar coat things very well anyway.

This shipping is sinking - rapidly - and I don't think there is a way to stop it.
Just in terms of the secular....it has been on life support for a long time.

If you raised the taxes of all Americans to 100% (one hundred percent) we still would not have enough to balance the budget.

Economically speaking...the "dream" is going to end.....badly. My advice is to get your house in order. Spiritually and physically.

For more information - check out a previous blog that explains my world view here.

If you would like to see an article on exactly how the US Dollar system works - send me a message here.

The real problem

As national leaders move to make legislative changes to stop "all of America's problems" - such as our financial woes, our problems with murder, and all the other madness that currently plagues us - the people of God cry from within to reveal the REAL problem. We are a nation in peril - because we are a nation that has forsaken God.

Take a look at some of the changes in the American social climate since the Supreme Court ruled that School prayer was "unconstitutional: (Source: David Barton, Wallbuilders:)

- America's children:
For 15 years before 1963 pregnancies in girls ages 15 through 19 years had been no more than 15 per thousand After 1963 pregnancies increased 187% in the next 15 years.
For younger girls, ages 10 to 14 years, pregnancies since 1963 are up 553%.
Before 1963 sexually transmitted diseases among students were 400 per 100,000. Since 1963, they were up 226% in the next 12 years.

- The Family - the bedrock of society:
Before 1963 divorce rates had been declining for 15 years. After 1963 divorces increased 300% each year for the next 15 years.
Since 1963 unmarried people living together is up 353%
Since 1963 single parent families are up 140%.
Since 1963 single parent families with children are up 160%.

- America's Education System:
The educational standard of measure has been the SAT scores. SAT scores had been steady for many years before 1963. From 1963 they rapidly declined for 18 consecutive years, even though the same test has been used since 1941.

In 1974-75 the rate of decline of the SAT scores decreased, even though they continued to decline. That was when there was an explosion of private religious schools. There were only 1000 Christian schools in 1965. Between 1974 to 1984 they increased to 32,000. That could have an impact if the private schools had higher SAT scores. In checking with the SAT Board it was found that indeed the SAT scores for private schools were nearly 100 points higher than public schools. In fact the scores were at the point where the public schools had been before their decline started in 1963 when prayer and Bible reading/ instruction was removed from the schools. The scores in the public schools were still declining.
 

-  The Nation - Home of the Brave and land of the free:
Since 1963 violent crime has increased 544%.
Illegal drugs have become an enormous & uncontrollable problem.

I prayerfully wish America could read the hand writing that is on the wall....as we once could.

We cannot fight the "enemy" we face in a "court room" or on a physical battlefield because, "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph. 6:12)

We are collapsing at our foundation because we have forsaken God.

The only way we can truly avert the "cliff" that is before us, is through genuine heartfelt repentance.

Remember the historic words of one of America's great leaders:

"Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.

And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord."

--Abraham Lincoln March 30, 1863

America - will you hear and respond to God?

So now what!?

The headlines on today’s news read “Gay marriage, marijuana backed in historic votes”….
The big picture and the big problem has very little to do with Barack Obama.

For those of you close to me, you know that I have been saying that he would be re-elected for the past three years.

So what happens now? Simple: America will continue its downward spiral morally, economically, and militarily. Not because we have re-elected Barack Obama as president – because we are a nation that shakes our fist in the very face of a holy God. We are a nation that has abandoned the covenant that we have with God. I believe America is falling because of her backsliding.

We have seen natural disasters, economic ruin, runaway crime, etc. This is a lot bigger than Barack Obama – this is bigger than the election yesterday. This is much more than Republican or Democrat. This has all been foretold in the Word of God.

The Bible tell us that in the Last Days "evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13). This is absolutely the case with America.

We have sunk to moral depths lower than could have been imagined only a few generations ago. We have become such an advanced society that we endorse homosexuality simply as an "alternative life-style."

We murder babies that are socially inconvenient – 50 million since Roe v. Wade.
We change marriage partners like we change our fashion.

We have abandoned the sanctity of commitment in our marriages and in all of our business and economic enterprises.

Our entertainment industries out of Hollywood and the music industry celebrate adultery, fornication, violence, deviant sex practices, and every imaginable form of evil. We have become the world's leading exporters of all that God detests.

President Woodrow Wilson said “America was born a Christian Nation.”

President Harry Truman said in 1947, “We are a Christian Nation”.

President Barack Obama said in 2009, “We do not consider ourselves a Christian Nation.”

My my….how far down we have fallen.

Although there are still many true believers in the U.S., as a nation we have forsaken God. We have become what the prophet Jeremiah described: "My people have committed evil; they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters" (Jeremiah 2:13).

Now we are walking in what we have demanded – for God to leave us alone.

So what comes next?

"I will utter My judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken Me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands" (Jeremiah 1:16).

·     The dollar will eventually collapse – maybe not immediately – but soon enough.

The majority of American people are completely unaware that the entire U.S. financial system is caught in a hopeless death spiral. Why? Because we can’t control our spending. In FY11 – the cost of interest alone on our national debt was a staggering $454 Billion. Just in INTEREST alone!

Currently, we have over $16 Trillion in national debt. The U.S.’s government-deficit ranking is 139 – this is matched by Greece, Botswana and Swaziland. We are the world’s largest Debtor nation. The worst thing is not so much the national debt – but the fact that we have another $62 Trillion in unfunded Federal liabilities. No – that isn’t a typo. Where will it come from? America is completely bankrupt and we have been using “foreign credit cards” to cover our operating cost.

Expect a new “economic stimulous” plan to be proposed– Washington will attempt to spend its way out of the debt. Which means more borrowing from China and more national debt. Washington will also attempt to “tax” our way out. But mathematically it will be impossible. If individual income tax rates went up to 100% for all Americans, it would still not be enough to balance the budget. No – that isn’t a typo either.

The world, led by the IMF, will soon push for a global currency to replace the dollar for all commodity trading on the international market and other things. Essentially, the world will dump the dollar as the reserve currency in favor of a new currency not controlled by the U.S. Federal reserve. When that happens the affects on the American economy will be indescribable. 

·     Gay Marriage will go to the Supreme Court and become national law.

Using the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – the Supreme Court will make all states recognize and allow for Gay Marriage because they will define it as “discrimination” otherwise. This will be celebrated in the streets of our cities as if it is the greatest societal advancement in history. School curriculum will incorporate socially and gender neutral wording, such as - "Marriage Partners" as opposed to "Husband and Wife".

Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Muslim Brotherhood will step up their attacks on Israel.

The United States will seek to further distance itself form Israel and begin to alienate her. This will actually empower and embolden the Anti-Israeli world. Look for Russian to form stronger economic and military alliances with the Muslim world.

·     The American “Church” will begin a further “blending” of belief systems and a promotion of pluralism, masked by the need for “unity” and the desire for popularity.

We define successful churches in terms of numbers – not based in truth. You will see the concept – already being promoted – that “people don’t need Jesus to make it to heaven. Jesus paid the price so all roads lead to the same place.”

Ultimately remember – “Judgment shall begin at the house of God”. He will eventually "burn it all down".

But from the ashes, the entire world will see the Glorious and spotless Church – The virgin Bride – arise from the perverse and wicked generation to reveal Christ to the World.

So, what should you and I do now?

1) Get your house in order – Spiritually.

If there is sin in your life – repent and stop now. (He is still merciful)
If you don’t pray regularly, start now praying daily.
Read the Bible. Turn off the TV and read the Bible – together.

Start a Home Bible Study. This is important and how the early church did it.

Gather your family and your friends in your homes and study and pray together.

Get serious about God and get serious about teaching your children His word.

2) Get your house in order - Economically

Don’t spend money on anything that you don’t absolutely need. Learn to do without some things. Don’t spend money on reckless things – ever.

Stop eating out so much – start cooking meals at home.

If you have to buy a car – but one that is less than you can afford.

Develop a budget and START A SAVINGS PLAN. Important!

Invest in Precious metals – it will not lose its value.

3) Get your house in order – Physically.

Start exercising.

Read books and learn skills.

Study practical things like – Carpentry, basic engine mechanics, and gardening.

Plant a garden – great skill to have, but it also reduces stress and helps your skills as well as your budget. Learn how to do things for yourself. 

Will I be ridiculed for saying all this? Most certainly – I expect it. But my heart and mind are clear. In 2006 – I stood on the platform of a church and told the congregation that the worst financial times in American history were ahead. I was laughed at then – until about September of 2008.

The truth is I am not really smart, and I am not any kind of “prophet” or anything special in any way. Just a “nobody from nowhere”. But I am part of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ. His Spirit is speaking to the hearts of those who belong to His Church – The bride of Christ, adorned in White Garments.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”
Revelation 2:17

I AM UNASHAMED.

For Questions, comments or complaints contact me here: jtombarber@gmail.com

Stuff only a nerd like me would find interesting.....

Today in History ...

1962 - United States President Kennedy went on radio and television to inform his nation about his order to send United States forces to blockade Cuba.

1986 - United States President Ronald Reagan signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986 backwards, writing his last name first. The signing is still legal.

1997 - For the first time, United States inspectors discovered E. coli bacteria in imported Canadian beef, halting shipments of 34,000 pounds.


Fun Facts ...

Winston Churchill named his country home Cosy Pig, although it was formally known as Chartwell.

In 1615, the English explorer William Baffin penetrated to within 800 miles of the North Pole. For the next 250 years, no one else got nearer.

The standard pitching distance in the game of horseshoes is 40 feet for men and 30 feet for women and juniors.

Did you know the popular phrase "The blind leading the blind" comes from the New Testament, Matthew 15:14.

Did you know that french toast isn't French. It comes from a Roman cookbook, dating back to 1000 or 2000 B.C. and titled "Apicius on Cooking."

Did you know a male baboon can kill a leopard.

The rights of Liberty...

Every time I dare turn on the television (to any station) or turn on the radio, I am constantly reminded that this is an election year.

I happen to be a military veteran so I am especially sensitive to our constitutional rights.
I try and stay about as far away from political issues as I can when it comes to most of my dealings, especially with the church.

What I do say, and say with conviction, you and I need to exercise our right to vote.
I am not a big fan of American politicians, and my list is extremely short for politicians that I will actually take what they say to heart.

For the most part in America, politicians serve themselves or the big corporations that are funding there campaigns in return for support on their agenda's. Many of them are the front for their particular party's views.

I am so far beyond political parties that I wouldn't even find my way back to them with a road map. I realize that most people in America are driven by the "party" that they support; however, I am more inclined to support a candidate based upon his or her personal ideas rather than what their party affiliation is.

Regardless of what office they are running for, Senate, Congress, or President of the United States.

Whenever an election is approaching, I like to look at the voting record for a candidate myself and see exactly how they voted on all the issues that are important to me.

Did you know that you can look at how any member of Congress of the Senate voted on any issue? Anything that is voted on by either the House or the Senate, such as the war in Iraq, The Farm Bill, Civil Liberties issues such as Equal Pay or anything else.

I encourage all people to personally check the voting record for your Senator or Congress Representative before you vote in order to find out where they stand on issues.

You can do so using this resource:http://www.votesmart.org/official_five_categories.php?dist=voting_category.php

Just pick your state, and then pick the Senator or Representative and look at how they voted on all the issues.

Their record speaks louder than any campaign advertisement.

You and I have the right to vote however we want, and for whomever we want, or you have the right to not vote at all.

I encourage you to find out the facts and vote your heart. If we do not, we will never have a chance at changing to future of America for our children and the generations to come.

I am asked a lot about who I am supporting for the upcoming presidential election, and others "assume" that I am supporting one particular party over another because of my position.

I will be honest and tell you that who a America citizen votes for is a private and personal matter, I usually refrain from discussing the issues with people.

However, I will tell my readers that I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat.
I support neither party. Politically, I am a "Constitutionalists" and nothing else.

That does not mean that I wouldn't cast a vote for someone running on either ticket; however, I find things unquestionably wrong with both parties. I firmly believe that America needs a "revolution" of sorts in many different areas, and American politics would be at the top of my list.

So I support the Constitution, which has served us pretty well for 200 years.
However, I try to do my homework before I cast my vote.

The upcoming presidential election will be easier for me considering that both "main party" candidates have a Senate voting record already, and so I can check them out myself and see how they voted on the issues without the "influence" of political advertisements. :-)

Either way, just do your homework and please exercise the right that so many have paid the ultimate price for and vote.

When you do, pray and vote your heart.

Your Friend,
Tom

Economic Outlook

I would like for us to look at history and reference the Economic crunch that happened in Argentina during the latter 1990’s and eventually ended in 2002. I am of the opinion that they have yet to recover from the full effects of the economic crunch. Let us carefully examine the facts and I will encourage your own comparisons.

“The Argentine economic crisis was part of the situation that affected Argentina's economy during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Macroeconomically speaking, the critical period started with the decrease of real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in 1999 and ended in 2002 with the return to GDP growth, but the origins of the collapse of Argentina's economy, and their effects on the population, can be found in action before. As of 2005, the crisis is arguably over, though many challenges remain for the country.” (Wikipedia).

Ultimately, the problem began to arise from a series of weak governments and huge amounts of public debt that was largely due to “unfinished projects” such as the Falkland/Malvinas Islands War. Interestingly, the State decided to take over private debts (bailing out) and ultimately this led to a steady increase in inflation. In other words, the government could not pay the debts so they printed money to cover the cost and hyper-inflated the currency and caused it to crash.

They battled the inflation issue for years and in some regard made really good progress at slowing it down. But Argentina had large overseas debt to pay, and unfortunately they had to keep borrowing money.

There was a fixed exchange rate and that helped make imports cheap, which caused copious amounts of money to flow OUT of the country, which led to an increase in unemployment.

In the meantime, government spending was still high and corruption was common among the government. Eventually, by 2001 investors had no more confidence and people all over began withdrawing large sums of their money from the banks and converting their cash to another currency. The Government acted fast and implemented a law that essentially froze ALL banks accounts for one year. As you can imagine, especially if it was your money, this led to public outrage and social break down immediately followed the financial break down.

Well, I won’t bore my readers with this any longer but I do want us to wise up a little.In America, we have gradually deflated our Gross Domestic Product and now import as much as we possibly can from China, India, and other places where labor is extremely cheap (slaves in some cases). With a decrease in exports and an increase in imports, watch out.Did you know that our Government currently borrows $3 billion per day to fund its operational cost? ($2 Billion per day according to Business Week)

We borrow money to pay the interest on money we have already borrowed. Economically, that means that the interest is compounding daily. Furthermore, the FED now makes the decision to assume, or take over, large amounts of public debt by “bailing out” failing banks and mortgage companies.
Does this sound familiar? If it doesn’t, go back up and re-read the parts about Argentina’s failed economy.
As Christians, what should we do?

1) Spend and manage your money and assets wisely.
2) Remain Faithful
3) VOTE - not based on a party, but rather on your heart
4) Be prepared for troubled waters, just in case

One way God provides for us in troubled times, is that He gives us wisdom before the troubled times hit.Remember, Joseph saw the turbulent times ahead and prepared himself for what was coming.

Not that I want to sound like a “doomsday” kind of guy, but I use this as a Biblical example of Godly wisdom and protection. God didn’t take Joseph out of Egypt because a famine was coming, but instead gave him the wisdom to prepare for it.

5) Lastly, we need to pray. Pray for our nation and our leaders.

The upcoming election, I am not afraid to say it, troubles me greatly.This is going to be one of the most critical times in US history.God’s people must rise to the challenge and walk by Faith and in our Faith.Now I know what you’re thinking..”What are you some kind of a nut?”For the last 10 years or so the primary message the church has been hearing in the pulpits is a message of “prosperity”. Many have been blessed and done well in business; however, most have squandered it all away on bigger houses, bigger cars, and bigger jewelry. The “God is going to make you rich” mentality is one of the greatest tragedies of the modern times. At least for the American church anyway.

Remember, God doesn’t need much in a jar to make a meal last a long time. God doesn’t need much in a bank account to take care of His faithful. Walk in His ways, and watch Him do miracles in your life.

Your Friend,
Tom

Economics # 2 (Just some more preparatory thoughts)

It is time for lesson 2, so hopefully all of my readers have brushed up a little on what economics is and or does.

When considering the Economics of America, which is without a doubt the greatest and most successful nations in the history of the world, what exactly makes us successful?

Why are we considered the richest nation on the planet? (Even though we are now the world’s largest debtor)

The United States remains an industrial power, with chemical products the leading manufacturing field. The United States is the third largest producer of oil in the world. It is the world's number one producer of electrical and nuclear energy, as well as liquid natural gas, sulfur, phosphates, and salt. While agriculture accounts for just less than 1% of GDP, the United States is the world's top producer of corn and soybeans.

The country's leading cash crop is marijuana, despite federal laws making its cultivation and sale illegal.

The New York Stock Exchange is the world's largest by dollar volume. Coca-Cola and McDonald's are the two most recognized brands in the world. As American’s, it is vital that we examine the source of all of our prosperity.

We must understand that Almighty God –Jehovah, sovereign creator, is the source of our blessings and prosperity.

On the faith of the founders, God developed through His divine providence a nation that would embody the grafted “Olive tree” that would be used to usher His message and His Glory throughout the world.In the words that solidified the purpose of this nation, the founders declared:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Let us also remember the words of John Winthrop in his famous sermon “City on a Hill”:
“For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken… we shall be made a story and a by-word throughout the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God… We shall shame the faces of many of God's worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us til we be consumed out of the good land whither we are a-going”.

For in this day that we have forgotten the blessings and guidance of God, let us quickly remember that He is Just, and “His Justice will not sleep forever.”

Economics: Lesson 1

Before we can really begin to discuss our current economic condition and compare it the Biblical axioms, we must first establish a common understanding of the basics.
In this first post, I want to define some words and try and establish an understanding of the basic subject matter.

As these posts continiue, I will add the "Tom-ism" into these definitions.

Economics: (Wikipedia)
Economics is the branch of social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Greek for oikos (house) and nomos (custom or law), hence "rules of the house(hold)."

Modern economics developed out of the broader field of political economy in the late 19th century, owing to a desire to use an empirical approach more akin to the physical sciences.
A definition that captures much of modern economics is that of Lionel Robbins in a 1932 essay: "the science which studies human behavior as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses."

Scarcity means that available resources are insufficient to satisfy all wants and needs. Absent scarcity and alternative uses of available resources, there is no economic problem. The subject thus defined involves the study of choices as they are affected by incentives and resources.

Microeconomics/Macroeconomics: (Wikipedia)
Microeconomics is a branch of economics that studies how individuals, households and firms make decisions to allocate limited resources,[1] typically in markets where goods or services are being bought and sold.

Microeconomics examines how these decisions and behaviours affect the supply and demand for goods and services, which determines prices; and how prices, in turn, determine the supply and demand of goods and services.

Macroeconomics, on the other hand, involves the "sum total of economic activity, dealing with the issues of growth, inflation and unemployment, and with national economic policies relating to these issues"and the effects of government actions (such as changing taxation levels) on them. Particularly in the wake of the Lucas critique, much of modern macroeconomic theory has been built upon 'microfoundations' — i.e. based upon basic assumptions about micro-level behavior.

One of the goals of microeconomics is to analyze market mechanisms that establish relative prices amongst goods and services and allocation of limited resources amongst many alternative uses.
Microeconomics analyzes market failure, where markets fail to produce efficient results, as well as describing the theoretical conditions needed for perfect competition. Significant fields of study in microeconomics include general equilibrium, markets under asymmetric information, choice under uncertainty and economic applications of game theory.
Also considered is the elasticity of products within the market system.


Macroeconomics can be defined as a branch of economics that deals with the performance, structure, and behavior of a national or regional economy as a whole. Along with microeconomics, macroeconomics is one of the two most general fields in economics.

Macroeconomists study aggregated indicators such as GDP, unemployment rates, and price indexes to understand how the whole economy functions. Macroeconomists develop models that explain the relationship between such factors as national income, output, consumption, unemployment, inflation, savings, investment, international trade and international finance.

In contrast, microeconomics is primarily focused on the actions of individual agents, such as firms and consumers, and how their behavior determines prices and quantities in specific markets. While macroeconomics is a broad field of study, there are two areas of research that are emblematic of the discipline: the attempt to understand the causes and consequences of short-run fluctuations in national income (the business cycle), and the attempt to understand the determinants of long-run economic growth (increases in national income).

Macroeconomic models and their forecasts are used by both governments and large corporations to assist in the development and evaluation of economic policy and business strategy.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): (Wikipedia)
The gross domestic product (GDP) or gross domestic income (GDI) is one of the measures of national income and output for a given country's economy. GDP is defined as the total market value of all final goods and services produced within the country in a given period of time (usually a calendar year). It is also considered the sum of value added at every stage of production (the intermediate stages) of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time, and it is given a money value.

The most common approach to measuring and understanding GDP is the expenditure method:GDP = consumption + gross investment + government spending + (exports − imports), or, GDP = C + I + G + (X-M)

"Gross" means depreciation of capital stock is not subtracted. If net investment (which is gross investment minus depreciation) is substituted for gross investment in the equation above, then the formula for net domestic product is obtained. Consumption and investment in this equation are expenditure on final goods and services. The exports-minus-imports part of the equation (often called net exports) adjusts this by subtracting the part of this expenditure not produced domestically (the imports), and adding back in domestic area (the exports).

Samuel Adams

I have been reading lately about one of the "founders" Samuel Adams.

Interesting material and philosophies I am discovering.

“Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age, impressing the minds of men with the importance of educating their little boys and girls, of inculcating in the minds of youth the fear and love of the Deity and universal philanthropy, and, in subordination to these great principles, the love of their country; of instructing them in the art of self-government, without which they can never act as a wise part of the government of societies, great or small in short, of leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system.”

Samuel Adams


What some great stuff!
Our American Leaders should be required to read some of the material from the Founders.

Blessings,
Tom

A janitor’s ten lessons in leadership Part 3

Lesson 6
Leaders Should Be Humble. Most modern day heroes and some leaders are anything but humble, especially if you calibrate your “hero meter” on today’s athletic fields. End zone celebrations and self-aggrandizement are what we’ve come to expect from sports greats. Not Mr. Crawford-he was too busy working to celebrate his past heroics. Leaders would be well-served to do the same.

Lesson 7
Life Won’t Always Hand You What You Think You Deserve. We in the military work hard and, dang it, we deserve recognition, right? However, sometimes you just have to persevere, even when accolades don’t come your way. Perhaps you weren’t nominated for junior officer or airman of the quarter as you thought you should-don’t let that stop you. Don’t pursue glory; pursue excellence. Private Bill Crawford didn’t pursue glory; he did his duty and then swept floors for a living.

Lesson 8
No Job is Beneath a Leader. If Bill Crawford, a Medal of Honor winner, could clean latrines and smile, is there a job beneath your dignity? Think about it.

Lesson 9
Pursue Excellence. No matter what task life hands you, do it well. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “If life makes you a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be.” Mr. Crawford modeled that philosophy and helped make our dormitory area a home.

Lesson 10
Life is a Leadership Laboratory. All too often we look to some school or PME class to teach us about leadership when, in fact, life is a leadership laboratory. Those you meet everyday will teach you enduring lessons if you just take time to stop, look and listen. I spent four years at the Air Force Academy, took dozens of classes, read hundreds of books, and met thousands of great people. I gleaned leadership skills from all of them, but one of the people I remember most is Mr. Bill Crawford and the lessons he unknowingly taught. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn.

Bill Crawford was a janitor. However, he was also a teacher, friend, role model and one great American hero. Thanks, Mr. Crawford, for some valuable leadership lessons.


Please note: Credit for this article is given to Col. James Moschgat, 12th Operations Group Commander

"A janitor’s ten lessons in leadership Part 2"

Mr. Crawford changed too, but you had to look closely to notice the difference. After that fall day in 1976, he seemed to move with more purpose, his shoulders didn’t seem to be as stooped, he met our greetings with a direct gaze and a stronger “good morning” in return, and he flashed his crooked smile more often.

The squadron gleamed as always, but everyone now seemed to notice it more. Bill even got to know most of us by our first names, something that didn’t happen often at the Academy. While no one ever formally acknowledged the change, I think we became Bill’s cadets and his squadron.
As often happens in life, events sweep us away from those in our past. The last time I saw Bill was on graduation day in June 1977.

As I walked out of the squadron for the last time, he shook my hand and simply said, “Good luck, young man.”
With that, I embarked on a career that has been truly lucky and blessed.
Mr. Crawford continued to work at the Academy and eventually retired in his native Colorado where he resides today, one of four Medal of Honor recipients living in a small town.

A wise person once said, “It’s not life that’s important, but those you meet along the way that make the difference.” Bill was one who made a difference for me. While I haven’t seen Mr. Crawford in over twenty years, he’d probably be surprised to know I think of him often.
Bill Crawford, our janitor, taught me many valuable, unforgettable leadership lessons.

Here are ten I’d like to share with you.

Lesson 1
Be Cautious of Labels. Labels you place on people may define your relationship to them and bound their potential. Sadly, and for a long time, we labeled Bill as just a janitor, but he was so much more. Therefore, be cautious of a leader who callously says, “Hey, he’s just an Airman.” Likewise, don’t tolerate the O-1, who says, “I can’t do that, I’m just a lieutenant.”

Lesson 2
Everyone Deserves Respect. Because we hung the “janitor” label on Mr. Crawford, we often wrongly treated him with less respect than others around us. He deserved much more, and not just because he was a Medal of Honor recipient. Bill deserved respect because he was a janitor, walked among us, and was a part of our team.

Lesson 3
Courtesy Makes a Difference. Be courteous to all around you, regardless of rank or position. Military customs, as well as common courtesies, help bond a team. When our daily words to Mr. Crawford turned from perfunctory “hellos” to heartfelt greetings, his demeanor and personality outwardly changed. It made a difference for all of us.

Lesson 4
Take Time to Know Your People. Life in the military is hectic, but that’s no excuse for not knowing the people you work for and with. For years a hero walked among us at the Academy and we never knew it. Who are the heroes that walk in your midst?

Lesson 5
Anyone Can Be a Hero. Mr. Crawford certainly didn’t fit anyone’s standard definition of a hero. Moreover, he was just a private on the day he earned his Medal. Don’t sell your people short, for any one of them may be the hero who rises to the occasion when duty calls. On the other hand, it’s easy to turn to your proven performers when the chips are down, but don’t ignore the rest of the team. Today’s rookie could and should be tomorrow’s superstar.



The rest to follow tomorrow...
Please note: Credit for this article is given to Col. James Moschgat, 12th Operations Group Commander

"A janitor’s ten lessons in leadership"

I came across this article sometime back and I thought it was simple amazing, and it has really given me some things to "chew on".

It was written by Col. James Moschgat, 12th Operations Group Commander at a date that I am not sure of. But I just wanted to share Col. Moschgat's wisdom with my readers.

The aritcle is lengthy, so it will be shared in pieces over several days. Please note that each of these postings all come from Col. Moschgat's article on "A janitor’s ten lessons in leadership" and I give full credit to him.
It does remind us of our duty, and what attitude we should have in our approach.
__________________________________________________________
A janitor’s ten lessons in leadership

By Col. James Moschgat, 12th Operations Group Commander

William “Bill” Crawford certainly was an unimpressive figure, one you could easily overlook during a hectic day at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mr. Crawford, as most of us referred to him back in the late 1970s, was our squadron janitor.

While we cadets busied ourselves preparing for academic exams, athletic events, Saturday morning parades and room inspections, or never-ending leadership classes, Bill quietly moved about the squadron mopping and buffing floors, emptying trash cans, cleaning toilets, or just tidying up the mess 100 college-age kids can leave in a dormitory.

Sadly, and for many years, few of us gave him much notice, rendering little more than a passing nod or throwing a curt, “G’morning!” in his direction as we hurried off to our daily duties.
Why? Perhaps it was because of the way he did his job-he always kept the squadron area spotlessly clean, even the toilets and showers gleamed.

Frankly, he did his job so well, none of us had to notice or get involved. After all, cleaning toilets was his job, not ours.
Maybe it was his physical appearance that made him disappear into the background. Bill didn’t move very quickly and, in fact, you could say he even shuffled a bit, as if he suffered from some sort of injury. His gray hair and wrinkled face made him appear ancient to a group of young cadets. And his crooked smile, well, it looked a little funny.

Face it, Bill was an old man working in a young person’s world. What did he have to offer us on a personal level?
Finally, maybe it was Mr. Crawford’s personality that rendered him almost invisible to the young people around him. Bill was shy, almost painfully so.
He seldom spoke to a cadet unless they addressed him first, and that didn’t happen very often. Our janitor always buried himself in his work, moving about with stooped shoulders, a quiet gait, and an averted gaze.

If he noticed the hustle and bustle of cadet life around him, it was hard to tell.
So, for whatever reason, Bill blended into the woodwork and became just another fixture around the squadron.
The Academy, one of our nation’s premier leadership laboratories, kept us busy from dawn till dusk. And Mr. Crawford...well, he was just a janitor.

That changed one fall Saturday afternoon in 1976. I was reading a book about World War II and the tough Allied ground campaign in Italy, when I stumbled across an incredible story.
On Sept. 13, 1943, a Private William Crawford from Colorado, assigned to the 36th Infantry Division, had been involved in some bloody fighting on Hill 424 near Altavilla, Italy.

The words on the page leapt out at me: “in the face of intense and overwhelming hostile fire ... with no regard for personal safety ... on his own initiative, Private Crawford single-handedly attacked fortified enemy positions.” It continued, “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, the President of the United States ...”

“Holy cow,” I said to my roommate, “you’re not going to believe this, but I think our janitor is a Medal of Honor recipient.” We all knew Mr. Crawford was a WWII Army vet, but that didn’t keep my friend from looking at me as if I was some sort of alien being. Nonetheless, we couldn’t wait to ask Bill about the story on Monday.

We met Mr. Crawford bright and early Monday and showed him the page in question from the book, anticipation and doubt on our faces. He stared at it for a few silent moments and then quietly uttered something like, “Yep, that’s me.”

Mouths agape, my roommate and I looked at one another, then at the book, and quickly back at our janitor. Almost at once we both stuttered, “Why didn’t you ever tell us about it?” He slowly replied after some thought, “That was one day in my life and it happened a long time ago.” I guess we were all at a loss for words after that. We had to hurry off to class and Bill, well, he had chores to attend to.

However, after that brief exchange, things were never again the same around our squadron. Word spread like wildfire among the cadets that we had a hero in our midst-Mr. Crawford, our janitor, had won the Medal! Cadets who had once passed by Bill with hardly a glance, now greeted him with a smile and a respectful, “Good morning, Mr. Crawford.”

Those who had before left a mess for the “janitor” to clean up started taking it upon themselves to put things in order. Most cadets routinely stopped to talk to Bill throughout the day and we even began inviting him to our formal squadron functions.

He’d show up dressed in a conservative dark suit and quietly talk to those who approached him, the only sign of his heroics being a simple blue, star-spangled lapel pin. Almost overnight, Bill went from being a simple fixture in our squadron to one of our teammates.

More to follow....