Tis the Season
Nov 18, 2010 Political
So, has anyone else noticed the season? No, not the season formerly known as Christmas, but the season for raising money and giving. There are all the usual food drives, canned food drives, donations for this group and things for the hungry. But I have to ask, “Why?”
It’s not that I’m opposed to giving. Believe me, I give a great deal to charities that I believe in. But when there are numerous specifically non-religious food drives and the like “for the poor,” I have to wonder why in the world they need my money and food. After all, isn’t government taking care of them? We have spent hundreds of billions of dollars on just unemployment. Who is getting that money? What about the aggressive Welfare departments and food stamps? We’re giving out record numbers of dollars there. But still that’s not enough? My food prices are way up. My taxes are continuing to rise. And still people want me to give MORE?
See, this is what happens when government gets involved where it should not be. Right now, I only have three paychecks left before my taxes will likely go up by at least $100 a paycheck (if the tax cuts are not extended, as is being reported in some places). I’m working 50-hour weeks and looking for another job because I can barely afford food now, much less with $200 or more LESS a month. And I know my tax dollars are being wasted on these programs for the poor — yet people want me to give even MORE to them?
Sorry, it’s not going to happen. All you people who are having non-religious food drives and support, you can just go pray to your god, government, and see what it delivers for you. Sadly, I’m sure it will — taking more from me by force to give you more for nothing. See, all I want is to be left alone so I can be free to help people. But government will not allow me that freedom.
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A Simple Gift For Christmas
Dec 24, 2008 Political
Some time ago I was told a story by a friend who said he wished a fellow worker a Merry Christmas. The other worker was Jewish and flew off the handle saying that not everyone celebrated Christmas and that it was presumptuous for someone to give such a greeting.
In this fast paced world it is very easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. The holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the man Christians believe to be the son of God. Christians are not the only ones who believe in Christ, only that he is the son of God. Jews and Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet of God. Jesus is mentioned in the Koran as such a prophet.
So why would a Jew, or any other non Christian be irate at the celebration of the birth of a man that many acknowledge existed but only view as a prophet?
The reality is that as we move farther from the birth of Christ we lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is a time of renewed hope and for giving. Unfortunately, the over commercialization of the holiday has taken away from the concept of giving. One does not need to buy or receive the latest gee whiz item to honor the holiday. Certainly one does not need to spend himself into poverty to uphold the concept of giving.
Giving comes in many forms. There are those who give of their time to those less fortunate by donating to or serving in food centers that help feed the needy. There are those who take in abandoned or drug addicted children and give them love and hope for a better future. Any simple act of kindness is a gift that is given and that includes the kindness of wishing one a Merry Christmas. It would be considered bad manners to berate a person over a material gift so why would we allow one to get away with berating a person over a simple wish?
Christmas is a time to celebrate a new beginning and the idea that each of us is capable of freely giving to others. There is no greater feeling than one gets after giving a gift without precondition, no matter how small the gift might seem. A smile directed at someone can brighten his day and it takes little effort to give.
It is unfortunate that we have lost sight of the meaning of this sacred time. Regardless of whether one believes Jesus Christ was a prophet or the son of God we celebrate His birth because, in part, He was a kind and gentle soul who did good for his fellow man. He preached the value of giving and of leading a wholesome life, something we should aspire to.
Certainly we have the decency to accept a “Merry Christmas” as a greeting intended to wish one well and convey desire for peace and good tidings.
During this season that we have allowed to morph into a chaotic time of year please take the time to count your blessings and remember the true meaning of Christmas Day.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous New Year. Consider that my gift to you, as simple as it might seem.
This post is my submission to the Carnival of Christmas hosted by my blog sister Kat of Cathouse Chat. Please stop by and rad the great entries by bloggers from around the country. I believe there are around 60 entries this year!
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Tags: Christmas, giving, holiday, jesus christ
Perhaps Clinton Should Give the Book Away
Oct 17, 2007 Uncategorized
Bill Clinton has a new book out and it is about giving. The book is not doing very well and has pretty much dropped off the radar. Clinton’s first book, My Life, sold over a million copies because he was out promoting it all over the place. He has not put in much time on the new book because he is busy trying to hustle his way back into the White House by selling us a bill of goods in his candidate wife. He also does not have the same motivation that he did with the first book.
In that one he rewrote history, so he was out hawking that book so people could see the way it “really” was, not the way some evil member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy would have you believe.
I guess what I want to know is, if this book is about giving and the merits of philanthropic work, why doesn’t he just give it away?
That’s right, making money is only bad if you are the one making it. As long as Bubba and Satan make money, life is good.
Source:
Yahoo News
