Uncommon Common Sense

Ah, it's that time. Time for the big plans, the goal-setting, the New Year's Resolutions... or not. Personally, I don't believe in them. I think they're a complete and total waste of time. Why? Because a "resolution" is merely a statement of decision. It is merely me saying, "I think I'm too fat." or whatever. "I want to lose weight." Great. As a martial arts instructor, I get to see lots of "New Year's Resolutions". They sign up for class, they buy the uniform, and they're really hard-core about coming to class and working out, and all that. Retention rate after January 31st? About 10%. Because it's hard. It's not easy. It's not a magic bullet. You don't come to Taekwondo class, and simply by showing up, the pounds come off, your body becomes hardened, and you learn all the really cool things that people with years of experience and training have learned. As any black belt how they got there. They g...

Do you know what I mean if I say the phrase “moral and civic obligation?” It means that someone is bound by an obligation or duty to some ideal or societal group that transcends the individual. Those of you that are parents, you have a moral obligation to raise up your children “in the way they should go, so that when they grow old, they will not depart from it.” You have a civic obligation to raise your children with a firm knowledge and understanding of our country, it’s history, and each person’s role and duties within our society. But I want to challenge ALL of the adults in our family…not just the parents…with one of our “moral and civic obligations”. What is that particular obligation? The upcoming elections. I know…I can hear your collective groans. “I hate election.” “I hate politics.” “I hate political ads.” “They’re all crooks.” “The liberals are destroying our country.” “The conservatives are destroying our country.” Blah, blah, blah, blah…I’ve heard them all. Heck, at on...

I couldn't sleep last night, so was up, sitting in the dark in the living room, pondering the universe. I've been having some conversations over the past month or so with David Funk, who is a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District in Iowa. During one of those conversations, the concept of "flat tax" or "fair tax" came up. We didn't dwell on it much, as we were focused on something else at the time, but this is the concept that came to circle my brain in the wee hours of the morning. Being who I am, I almost always have to ask questions of what is considered the status quo. My usual questions are "why" and "what if". I look at our current tax structure, and I simply have to go to "why?" Why is it so darned convoluted? Why does it seem to penalize a person for working hard and being successful? Why does it seem to be a de-motivator to the person who is motivated, and at the same time, is a de-motivator to the person wh...