Noblesse Oblige

Noblesse Oblige means the obligation of nobility. This is the concept that those who are more fortunate are required by their good fortune to help those who are less fortunate. It has been around since the Medieval Age where nobility existed. If we pay attention, we find that has become more and more interwoven into the fabric of American politics. The Democrats use it as the basis of their tax policy. It's behind the idea that the "rich must pay their fair share."

Here's the question, who says this must be so? Why are those who work hard to become successful obligated to help those who aren't as successful? Why is it an "obligation" for the wealthy to give me some of that money? More importantly, if people are obligated to give away their wealth once they work hard to get it, what is the incentive to become wealthy? Lastly, what exactly is a "fair share" and who qualifies as "rich"?

If the government requires that the more fortunate give a greater percentage of their income to the poor, what does that do to the concept of charity? Does giving a greater percentage of income to the government relieve the wealthy of having to support other charity? On the other side, what obligation do those receiving this redistributed wealth have to society? Should they have to contribute to "pay back" the gifts they have received from the wealthy? How do they recognize the sacrifice made on their behalf?

Thoughts anyone?

Save the holidays

A recent news article states that "reliable sources" indicate that Toys 'R Us is planning on joining KMart in opening their stores on Thanksgiving. It stated that 14% of the public wants to "get a jump" on their holiday shopping by shopping one day ahead of Black Friday. This cannot happen!!!!

By shopping on Thanksgiving, you are stealing the holiday from all those managers and associates that are required to be there to help you. They have had to leave their family celebrations to come and help you save 15% or whatever the sale is that day. They don't get to play football in the backyard with their sons, or trim the Christmas tree with their family, or even just take a nap after eating the holiday meal because you need to shop a day earlier. Is this fair? Do you really need to shop on a holiday and steal those memories and family times from others? Is that what it's all about?

In addition, if they can take away Thanksgiving, where does it stop? How about Christmas and Easter? I know we're a multi-cultural society, but do we really have to give up all of our heritage? Isn't there anything still sacred to us or do we all have to worship at the altar of the dollar?

If you feel that Toys 'R Us is making a mistake, there are a couple of things I would ask you to do: 1) E-mail, call, or write their headquarters and tell them NO. Thanksgiving is too important to make their employees work. 2) Pass this blog posting on to as many people as you can so they will take action too. 3) If they insist on opening on Thanksgiving, let them know that you will take your holiday dollars to some other retailer that allows its employees to still celebrate their holidays with their families. Let them know that you will not spend your money in their stores from Thanksgiving to Christmas. There are plenty of other options....use them.

Keep our holidays sacred and for family.

Thoughts anyone?

An Endorsement for NJ Governor

Having watched as the candidates continue the mud-slinging that they purport to be a campaign, I've noticed a recent change that is exciting. There have always been third (sometimes fourth and fifth) party challengers and usually they are ignored. Suddenly, we've seen advertisements discrediting the third party challenger. Why is this significant? Because that means for the first time in recent NJ history, the major parties are worried that Independent candidate Chris Daggett actually could pose a real threat, that voting for him may not actually be the same as throwing your vote away.

Ironically, the Republican's commercial led me to actually investigate Daggett by looking at his website and reading what he's about......thanks Republicans because I was going to vote for Chris Christie till then. He's actually got some very common sense answers to a lot of our problems. He doesn't promise quick fix solutions and he gives you reasons for his programs. He also quotes some solid research for many of his positions. I think he could help us get some things done here in a state that hasn't done much right for years.

Jon Corzine has turned out to be such a disappointment. The golden boy, businessman, hasn't run NJ like a business, hasn't made the tough decisions, and instead has followed the Nancy Pelosi left-wing class warfare line and taxed us into oblivion without fixing anything. I had hopes that he would be different and he was......worse than I ever expected.

Chris Christie is also a party man who is more interested in bashing Democrats than offering solutions. Of the two major party candidates, I would pick him, but I think this is the best chance we have as voters to tell the major parties that it's not about fighting each other but instead it's about fixing the problems we face.

Thoughts anyone?

An important anniversary

I've had the opportunity to be in Virginia for a little-known but very important anniversary. Today, October 19th, is the 228th anniversary of the defeat of the British commander Cornwallis at the small Virginia village of Yorktown. It was the last military action of the American Revolutionary War which led to the eventual Paris Treaty which ended the war and created the United States of America.

Sadly, there were no fireworks and no parades, yet the sacrifices of the men who marched 450 miles from their positions around New York to join with local militias and 5000 French troops in Virginia are key to the beginnings of our country. Let us take a moment to realize what these men achieved on a small outcropping on the shores of the James River. We owe them and all those that follow their example, a huge debt.

May God continue to Bless the United States of America.