Uncommon Common Sense

Catching up and catching flak

2011-08-16T08:04:00.002-05:00

Wow. I hadn't realized how long it's been since I blogged, until I actually came out to post again. Obviously, TOO long. Yes, I can use the excuse that I've been busy...as has everyone. But the bottom line is, I've gotten too used to just pitching out a little tidbit here and there on my Facebook status. Then, every now and then, I'll put out as a "note" or "status update" something that really should be here, in my blog.

Case in point: a couple days ago, my wife and I volunteered at the Iowa Straw Poll. We worked for Michelle Bachmann's campaign, and had a wonderful time. We met some awesome people. It was our first time at a Straw Poll, and...well, I heard one person describe it as part country fair and part political party. And it really seemed just like that. The vast, overwhelming majority of people were smiling, laughing, having a grand time. Polite, helpful, engaging....it was just the most awesome display of....well, of being "Iowan"... that I had seen in a long time. Even though lines were long for some events or people or whatever, very rarely did we run across the crabby person, or the whiner or whatever. It was just plain awesome.
With a few minor exceptions. And this is what set me off, and brought me to post a fairly long diatribe on Facebook.

Why is it that some people can hold a rational discourse on differing viewpoints, while others resort immediately to negativity and generalized name-calling? I had people calling me a whack-job and that I should be locked into a mental institution, simply because I was wearing a "Bachmann Volunteer" t-shirt. I heard others referring to supporters of other candidates as "radical closet fascists" (whatever THAT means).

Then, there were the protesters. Those who yell things like "bigot" and "racist", because of the t-shirt I'm wearing. Really? I don't see myself as a bigot or a racist. And the media...sometimes they just drive me nuts. If a person has a socially conservative viewpoint, they are immediately labeled an "evangelical". Really? The connotation of that word has now become laced with negativity by the media. Why? Because some seriously disturbed person that kills innocent people is found to have a Bible in their home, with various passages circled. And the media labels him as having "evangelical leanings". Really? Exactly what are "evangelical leanings"?

So, I posted a tome about how I was getting fed up with the whole labeling thing. I pointed out that if I were to say something bad publicly about illegal aliens, I would be labeled a "racist". I pointed out that if I were to say something bad publicly about Islam, I could possibly be charged with a "hate crime". I said that if I spoke up against same-sex marriage, I'd be labeled a homophobe or bigot. But if somebody bashes a Christian...well, there are no consequences. It happens on a daily basis. So, in the interest of being "fair", I suggested that if/when I am labeled any of those things simply because I hold socially and fiscally conservative values, and profess my faith, I would counter by calling those folks "Christo-phobes" ... a made-up term, true...but it's the best I could come up with on short notice.

The point of my rant was that dumping people into a "bucket" and sticking a label on them is ridiculous, and simply not right. But nobody gets after people for dumping Christian conservatives into buckets or sticking labels on them. But people get chewed on for doing that to anyone else. And I'm not disagreeing with the fact that people get chewed on for that. I think doing that to people....ANYbody...is wrong. But in my opinion, the door doesn't swing both ways on this. And why is that? Why is it now a 'bad thing', for a person to be white, male, middle-aged, Christian, and outspoken? When did that happen?

People are going to disagree with me on things. From a political standpoint, I fully expect people to be vehemently opposed to some of the things that I believe are the foundation of this country. And they will loudly state that what they hold dear are foundational to this country. That is called "freedom". Fortunately, we have that liberty in this country. Isn't it wonderful?

When we were at the Straw Poll, my wife commented to me that she was not only amazed, but extremely grateful, because we CAN have events like that. We CAN have a forum for potential leaders to state their viewpoints. We CAN have people of like-mindedness gather. We CAN have people with differing viewpoints gather, discuss, and debate. There are, unfortunately, a lot of places in this world where folks cannot do that.

I know I probably offended people, especially some close friends, with my Facebook post. That was not my intent, and if they are offended, I apologize. My intent was simply to point out two things: the dichotomy that exists, and the fact that any of that name-calling, sticking a label on people simply because they disagree...well, it's pointless, and does nothing to help anything. It merely shows that a person has run out of intelligent things to say.

Am I going to go around calling people "Christo-phobes"? Probably not...it's just not my style. I'll probably continue to do what I do now, when people call me names. Look at them, raise an eyebrow, shrug, and walk away. I read somewhere that you shouldn't argue with a fool, because eventually people will get confused as to who is who.

One more thing, totally different topic. Speed camera going up on I-235. I read that it's going to be set to issue tickets when a car is clocked at going 9 mph over the posted speed of 60 mph. Hmmm....so what you're really saying is that the posted speed limit of 60 mph doesn't really apply. The enforced speed limit is actually 69 mph. So, why not change the signs to read 69 mph, since that's what the real speed limit is going to be?

OR....wait for it...how about setting the camera so that it issues a ticket when it clocks a car going at 61 or 62 mph? That is, IF the speed limit in that spot really is supposed to be 60 mph.

Am I making too much sense with that one? Probably. But then again....that's just something I'm cursed with sometimes. Trying to apply common sense to problems that we can make really difficult and convoluted, if we really put our minds to it.

That, dear readers, is my two cents worth for today.

--Larry Voorhees

New Year's Revolution

2010-12-29T15:35:00.003-06:00

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 got there by coming to class week after week, month after month, year after year, and sweating their little hearts out. It takes time, it takes effort, it takes dedication, it takes discipline, and it takes being smart enough to have someone else along to help hold you accountable. Without any of those...good luck! You'll need it.

Personally, I prefer New Year's "Revolutions". Yes, it's a play on words, but in my opinion, an important one. You see a "revolution" is a radical change. It's not a wishful thought, or a wannabe decision. It's a complete and total alteration of what "is". We didn't have an American "resolution", we had an American REVOLUTION. We radically changed not only the system of government we were under, we radically changed ALL systems of government, for ALL time. The whole idea of a democratic Republic, while it had been tried in a couple of backhanded ways before, never had been systematically thought out and so thoroughly planned and executed. And government in this world has never been the same since. The American "experiment" has been held up as the gold-standard of self-governance for over 200 years. That's how radical it is. That's how much of a "revolution" it was, and still is today.

My family came to this continent in 1660 -- over 100 years before the Declaration of Independence. My ancestors decided to make a radical change from their old life, to life in this New World. Well, you don't make radical changes -- revolutions -- by doing the same thing the same way, over and over again. You put yourself into a position where you HAVE to do things differently. Why? Because we're human...we LIKE our patterns, we LIKE doing things the same way, we don't LIKE to change very much.

Fast-forward to today. Are you overweight? Great. FORCE yourself to do it differently. FORCE yourself to eat differently, to exercise differently, to approach weight-loss differently. Sure, you've tried to lose weight before, etc. But that obviously didn't work, or you wouldn't be looking at that again this year. So? Do it differently! Don't make a "resolution", create a "revolution".

We had a mini-revolution in a political sense this past November. People have been coasting along these past 2 years after the 2008 elections, thinking that if they just rode with the tide, everything would be ok. But this past year, they've noticed that the boat is getting awful close to the rocks. And, no matter what they (meaning "the people") say, those in charge of the boat keep saying, "don't worry, we know what we're doing. Trust us."

Well, the passengers in the boat finally decided that they no longer trusted the people that were in charge of the boat. They finally decided that since they (the people) are the paying customers cruising in this boat, that maybe, JUST MAYBE, they have some say in how close to the rocks the boat should come.

In short, "The People" remembered that THEY are the ones in charge of governing this state and this country, and that elected officials, and the government, as a whole, report to "the People", not the other way around. Yay!

My prayer for the year ahead is that "The People" remember that they were successful in their mini-revolution this past November, and that they now have an obligation to hold their elected officials on-course. I want to encourage you all...do NOT trust the boat completely to those you've elected. No matter WHO they are, they are still human, and they need to be constantly reminded WHO THEY WORK FOR. Doesn't matter if they're liberal or conservative. If we don't keep a constant eye on them, they will (again!) forget who they work for, and get arrogant, and try to do what they think is best for us, because they know better than we do what's best for us.

Fortunately for us all, the majority of the people were able to read through that lie in November. I'm praying that the "revolution" continues, and that we continue to have an active, informed and accountable electorate.

One last thing....what is my main New Year's Revolution this year?
...yeah....it's got something to do with my weight.... :)

...my two cents worth today.
--Larry Voorhees

Moral and Civic Obligation

2010-07-27T13:54:00.001-05:00

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 one time or another in my life, I’ve probably said them all, too.

But I want to examine this … “thing”…this event we have every so often, called an “election.”

In our country, each individual citizen that is aged 18 and over, has the right to vote. I would also submit to you, that those people have the “moral and civic obligation” to vote. Do you realize how PUNY the numbers are for voter turnout, especially in what one calls an “off-year election” like the one this year? If there were a 40% voter turnout, people would be shocked and amazed. That would be considered a HIGH turnout! To me, THAT is what is shocking and amazing! That less than 40% of the population that is eligible, actually takes the trouble and time to VOTE.

Let’s look at a few things.
Are you happy/unhappy with the federal government bailouts?
Are you happy/unhappy with the new financial regulations?
Are you happy/unhappy with the ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court on the DOMA law passed by the Iowa Legislature?
Are you happy/unhappy with the ban of texting while driving?
Are you happy/unhappy with the change in the “carry permit” law?
Are you completely clueless on any/all of these particular issues?
Are you happy/unhappy with what the Iowa Legislature did or did not discuss and pass legislation on during the past 2 session?
Are you happy/unhappy with the way your tax dollars are being spent/misspent by the federal/state/county/local government?
These are just a few of the topics that have crossed our paths in the past two years. What else? Universal healthcare. Raising retirement age. State of the economy. State of the Social Security Administration. Free trade agreements. Cap-and-trade. Border security. Illegal immigration. Protectionist tariffs.

PICK YOUR TOPIC. In some way, shape or form, some government entity or group has had their hands on it, in it, or at least talked about it, in the past two years.

So, do you LIKE what has been going on in the past 2 years? If you don’t vote in the upcoming elections, and vote to support the candidates that have been responsible for those things, you are taking the risk that they will be voted out of office, and things could change in ways you don’t like.

So, are you NOT LIKING what has been going on in the past 2 years? If you don’t vote in the upcoming elections, and vote to support candidates running against those that are responsible for those things, you are taking the risk that those people will stay in office, and things will stay exactly as they are, or get worse.

What I’m saying is: ultimately, YOU AND I are responsible for what goes on in our government. WE are responsible, whether we voted in the last election or not. Because our government is a “representational republic”, we actually have a voice in who represents us. And if they don’t represent us the way we think they should, we have a MORAL AND CIVIC OBLIGATION to vote them out of office. Essentially, fire them. They are supposed to work for US…you and me. We, the people.

But what if you didn’t vote last time? Yeah, you’re just as responsible as the rest of us. Or perhaps I should use the term “irresponsible”. Because you did NOT participate in the last election, YOUR voice wasn’t heard. But that doesn’t remove you from responsibility. We, the people, are a TEAM. What happens to one of us, happens to all of us. We, as a team, are responsible for everything, good, bad and ugly. So if you didn’t vote…you’re just as culpable as those of us that did. You can’t duck your responsibility that easily, I’m afraid.

Finally, let me address those of you that will say, “But I don’t know anything about these people, or these issues, or…”. I would say that you have some homework to do, then. You owe it to yourself, your children, your friends, your community, to BE informed. To get the facts. No, I don’t mean to blithely listen to the political rhetoric that is spouted by the talking heads on either the mainstream media or the conservative rants. But by actually doing the research, reading everything you can, and applying YOUR common sense, and YOUR beliefs and values to the issues, then making a decision, and sticking to it. Talk about things. Have conversations with people. Lean over the back fence and actually say “howdy” to the person next door. Develop “community”, and explore the people, policies, and issues.

So, in conclusion, I am asking you, adults...no, I am BEGGING you…please get involved in the election process this year. You owe it to your children (if you’re a parent), you owe it to your friends, you owe it to me, and everyone else in our community, county, state and nation. We really don’t want to do this without your input. We will, if you force us to, but we’d really rather that your voice was heard.

That’s my two cents for today.

--Master V.

Random thoughts on taxation

2010-03-03T15:40:00.005-06:00

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 who is already less-than-motivated?
Then, I got started on the "what if" mode.
What if:

we eliminated ALL taxes. Sales tax, liquor tax, income tax (both individual and corporate), property tax, inheritance tax, road-use tax, vehicle tax (also known as "licenses"), hunting tax (also known as "licenses"), gasoline tax...everything. Dump them all.
we reduced the IRS by 90%.
we had each state retain their present Dept. of Revenue.
we had everyone pay a "transaction tax" on everything. Every good or service they purchased. The end-user pays the tax.
we allowed no exceptions, no exemptions, no credits, nor trade-offs, no way whatsoever for ANYone, individual or business, of not paying this transaction tax on every single transaction.

Crazy? yeah....just crazy enough it could work!

"Regressive tax!" I can already hear the battle cry. I would disagree. The person that makes $17,500...they're only going to pay the transaction tax on the goods and services they purchase. I don't see them going out and buying a boat. Or a Lexus. Just the things they need. And they pay the transaction tax on those items that they are the end-user on. The person that makes $250,000....they're going to pay the transaction tax on the goods and services they purchase. Are they going to ONLY buy the goods and services that the person making $17,500 does? Not hardly. They probably ARE going to buy that boat, that Lexus, those stocks and bonds, that new computer, use that lawyer's services...and EVERYthing...all goods and services...are subject to the transaction tax. So, I don't see it as being regressive. Those that spend more, they pay more. Those that spend less, they pay less. If you make less, you tend to spend less. If you make more, you tend to spend more.

But what's this about cutting the IRS by 90%?

Ah, that's the beauty of this....we don't NEED the IRS at their current levels.

In my little world, I would have the seller of the good or service collect the transaction tax from the end-user/purchaser. The seller would submit these collected funds to the State Dept. of Revenue, just like many states currently do with sales tax (yes, I know, there are some states with no sales tax, but there are NO states without ANY taxes).
The State distributes the appropriate shares to the local city, the county, and retains what the State's share is. On a monthly basis, the States all submit the Federal Government's "share" to DC...to the now-pared-down IRS. Or, heck, directly to the Treasury Dept., for all I care.

That way, the STATES can handle what the STATES are supposed to do, and help get the Federal Gov't's hands out of those things it shouldn't be handling. For instance, who knows better how to handle education in Iowa....Iowans, or elected representatives from 49 other states over in DC? And just because something works really well for high school students in South Dakota, does that mean it would be a panacea for high school students across the country?

In this manner, we are returning control of the purse strings and the caring of the citizens of the country to the governmental entities that should be in control of them...the states legislatures, the county elected officials, the city elected officials. Rather than the cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach we have at the Federal level. Or, worse yet, the 47,987-page attempts to micro-manage something that is best handled by local governments.

Another advantage...the Federal Gov't won't always know exactly how much money they're going to get every month from the tax. So they will have to be more concerned with intelligent cash-flow management, and not be given to negative budgeting.

and that is my two cents worth for today.

--Larry Voorhees

Christmas Eve-eve, 2009

2009-12-23T08:58:00.001-06:00

Today is December 23rd. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. The day after is Christmas. People are scrambling all over the place buying last-minute Christmas gifts. The Christmas light displays are beautiful, and people are traveling all over the place to spend Christmas with their families. Tonight, our church has a "Christmas Eve-eve" service. Tomorrow night, churches all over the world will be holding Christmas Eve services.
What's my point?
OK, here's my point: Christmas. Not "holiday", not "winter solstice" not "mass-marketing event", but CHRISTMAS.
At this time of year, I CELEBRATE. I celebrate the greatest gift that has ever been given...the gift of God's Salvation, through the birth of His Son. Yes, I've heard them all..."but if you do the math, Jesus was most likely born in the summer, like June or so."
Big freakin' deal.
Martin Luther King, Jr., was not born on the 3rd Monday of January, yet we celebrate "his day" then (so we can get another 3-day Federal holiday weekend out of the deal). And, as sacriligious as it may sound, MLK was not the Son of God, nor was he Divine, nor was he the Savior of the World. He was merely a man who WORKED for the Son of God.
So, here it is. I am CELEBRATING CHRISTmas. I absolutely refuse to apologize for being Christian, for desparately attempting to live my life in a Christ-like manner.

I fall, I fail miserably the vast majority of the time. However, with the grace of God, Christ picks me up daily, dusts me off, pats me on the rear and says, "Back into the game with you, my child. Give it another go."And back I go. Not that I am perfect, nor will I ever be perfect in this lifetime.
But at this time of year, I want everyone to know WHAT and WHOM I am celebrating.
I know that My Redeemer lives. I know who my King is. I know where my Salvation comes from.
It's not from the government, it's not from good works on my part, it's not because I'm wonderful and I deserve it.
Government is made up of men, and men are corrupt and sinful.My works are as filthy rags.The only thing "wonderful" about me is that I am "fearfully and wonderfully made".

And I am the most undeserving of men.Yet, HE came to this world, HE lived a sinless life, HE suffered and died on the Cross for my sins, HE rose from the dead and defeated Death and Satan for all time.
And He would have done it even if I were the only person in the world.
I am a blessed Child of the Most High, the Living God. I am an heir of the King of Kings.
I will not apologize, but will stand and proudly proclaim, from one heir of the Kingdom to all the other heirs of the Kingdom, and wish everyone a very, MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Dana Hee

2009-12-03T11:23:00.003-06:00

Just wanted to do a little promo piece for a friend of mine, Miss Dana Hee. Master Hee is an international motivational speaker, and was 1988 Olympic gold medalist in Taekwondo. She is also an award-winning Hollywood stuntwoman. I could go on for several pages, but I just want to encourage everyone to experience Master Hee for themselves.
She has begun to write her own blog, containing inspirational and motivational messages. I'd like to encourage you all to check it out: www.danahee.blogspot.com.

Hoping I can post more tomorrow. Up to my eyeballs in alligators today. Today IS Thursday, isn't it?

my two cents worth today. :)

--Larry Voorhees

Deer 5, Larry 0

2009-12-01T11:08:00.003-06:00

OK, so the son-in-law and I went out 2 days, saw lots of tracks, lots of fresh sign, and zero deer. *sigh*
I have another go at it with Late Muzzleloader season in late December/early January in southern Iowa, so hopefully will nail something then.

Still working on the books. We're up to Chapter 17 in Book 3. My hopes of having the draft done by Thanksgiving simply didn't materialize. With the schedule looking like it does, we'll be lucky to have the draft done by the end of the year. There's at least a dozen more chapters to go, and more likely, closer to 20, before the story in book 3 is completely told. We're also working on Book 4, but that one is going slower. We're taking a new twist in direction on Book 4, so getting both of us to re-gear our minds to wrap around the concepts is taking a bit longer than we originally thought. The rough outlines are done, now it's simply a matter of having enough time for the two of us to sit down and block out the rest of the world long enough to put some meaningful time into it.

Finding that writing doesn't work well when done in small chunks. For myself, I need to have at least a couple of hours, so I can immerse myself in the story-line and the characters again. It gets really frustrating to get into the world of the book, then get pulled back into this reality, then try to get back into the book, then...you know what I'm saying?

On another note, I was making a serious effort to lose some weight. Managed to lose 6 pounds since the first of September. Over Thanksgiving, I'm pretty sure I found them again. Rats...
Oh well....back at it. :)

and that's my two cents worth for today.
--Larry Voorhees

Another go at Bambi

2009-11-12T14:35:00.002-06:00

Alright, I have another chance at bagging a deer. Going hunting with my son-in-law this weekend. On the surface, it doesn't sound very promising. He says he's been out several times already, and hasn't seen a thing. Yet, he's convinced that the area we're going to hunt is prime for deer. While I'd really prefer to be able to tag one, I'm also pretty content with just spending some quality time in the woods with the son-in-law. He's a pretty neat guy, and it's some nice bonding time for the two of us.
And, my wife gets to hang with my daughter while us guys are out fulfilling our annual blood-lust ritual.
So, I see it as a win-win all the way around. :)

my two cents worth today.
--Larry Voorhees

Deer 3, Larry 0

2009-10-21T14:53:00.002-05:00

OK, so I spent an absolutely gorgeous three days in the woods, hunting Bambi and/or his mother. Tons of tracks, lots of fresh sign, well-used trails, some new buck scrapes and rubs...and didn't see a blessed thing all 3 days. Now, granted, it was unseasonably warm, and there was a great deal of hunting pressure in the area we were, but....I didn't see a single deer. You'd think there'd be at least one stupid one out there that would wander into my rifle-sights.

Oh well, maybe the Minnesota deer haven't heard of my legendary marksmanship, and I can snag one of them when we go visit my daughter and son-in-law next month.

On another note, I did an online interview with a writer/reviewer/blogger based in Ohio, Nikiti Puhalsky. Had some good questions about being a writer, and working with a co-author. Interview should be up on her website (www.npuhalsky.com) sometime in the next day or two. Along the writing lines, progress is being made both on Book 3 in the 5 Tenets series, as well as my first solo venture. Hoping to have both of them completed and ready to be in-market before Christmas. Aiming for Thanksgiving, actually.

Headed to Chicago this weekend to take part in the Kukkiwon Instructors' Course. First time it's been offered outside of Korea. In the back of my mind, I had always planned on attending "at some point in the future"; however, when it came up that it was going to be offered here in the States, and in Chicago (only 6 hours away!), I jumped at the chance. Wish me luck as I attempt to absorb what is usually a week-long course in the 48 hours that we will have.

my two cents worth today. :)

--Larry Voorhees

Renaissance

2009-10-14T15:41:00.003-05:00

"Renaissance Man". That's what I like to hear. "Jack of all trades, master of none" is what my mind tells me that people are saying, though, when I hear "Renaissance Man".
Does it mean I'm not a "complete person" just because I really enjoy doing a large variety of things? Does it mean I'm not an "adult"... a "grown-up"?
Or, does it mean that I really am one of those people that simply must experience as many different things as possible in his/her life, and strives to do at least reasonably well at whatever they touch?
To be honest, I don't know "the answer". I know an answer.

Take this week, for example.
Work all day Monday (project management stuff at my day-job).
Teach Taekwondo Monday night.
Tuesday, work all day, attend Small Group from church Tuesday evening. We're studying "The Truth Project". Very fascinating stuff.
Wednesday, work all day, tonight we'll do something special, as my wife got a new position at her day-job, and she's really excited about it, and I'm really excited for her.
Thursday, work all day, need to stop by Taekwondo class and deliver some stuff, then have some people we're meeting that evening, and need to get my hunting stuff organized.
Friday, day off, have a couple of appointments, need to finish organizing my hunting stuff, because..
Saturday, opening day of Early Muzzleloader season for deer, and my buddy (and co-author) Randy, and his wife are coming down to chase Bambi with me.
Hunting Saturday, and, if we don't snag/tag/bag them on Saturday, then Sunday and Monday, as well.
Also need to finish closing the swimming pool, probably Monday afternoon.
Plus, need to do some more reading/studying for the Kukkiwon Instructors' Course I'm attending next weekend.
Plus, need to work on Book 3 in the 5 Tenets series, as well as pound out a couple more chapters in the book I'm working on by myself.
Eclectic? Unfocused?
I don't think so. I am enjoying myself immensely, and I hope that I'm positively impacting the people in my life.
Jack of all trades, master of none? Well, that's not exactly true, as, technically, I'm a Taekwondo "master". :)
And I don't think it's because I have ADD...it's just that....oh look! A Squirrel!

my two cents worth today. :)

--Larry Voorhees

Writing

2009-08-25T12:59:00.004-05:00

I've been enjoying the role of co-author. My friend, Randy, and I have co-written two action/adventure novels, and are in the midst of two more. We have decided to write a series of five, each one titled after one of the Five Tenets of Taekwondo: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit.
As I said, the first two in the 5 Tenets Series are completed, and are available on Amazon.com and Target.com. (see the link above).

Book 1 is "Indomitable Spirit - the Power Within", and introduces the reader to many of the characters who will populate the rest of the series.
Book 2 is "Integrity", and picks up the story line from Book 1 approximately 4 years later.

Both books are a wonderful read, and the baseline lesson within each is focused on the Tenet encompassed in the title.

As I mentioned, Randy and I are working on Books 3 and 4 right now, and are hopeful to have at least Book 3 ready for publication before Christmas.

In addition, I have been working on a project of my own for the past several months. I am about half-way through with it, and I am hopeful to also have that book finished before Christmas.

Writing has been very enjoyable. I never would have thought this was something that I would get such a kick out of, but I really am. I hope that those of you that read/follow this blog will also take advantage of these books, and I'd greatly appreciate any feedback you can give us.

Sorry I've been away from the blog for so long, but I will try to be more regular about updating going forward.

On a different note, I'm really looking forward to this weekend. We're hosting a Poomsae Seminar for Taekwondo. Bringing in a couple from Portland, OR, to conduct the workshop, and are expecting roughly 60 participants from as far away as Fargo, ND, to be here. Should be a lot of fun!

--my two cents worth for today. :)

--Larry

2009-08-25T12:59:00.001-05:00

Candidacy Decision

2009-05-18T08:18:00.001-05:00

Good morning, sirs and ma'ams:I had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time this weekend talking with my wife, my extended family, and some close friends. My frustration level with the political situation continues to mount. Unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that at this point in time, both in my life, and in the environment we currently live in, it will be more detrimental to me and my family, physically, emotionally, and financially, if I am a candidate for State Legislature again in 2010.My biggest source of frustration is that the political discussions appear to no longer be about "right and wrong", but are simply about "right and left". Unfortunately, the current system is stacked in that fashion, and anyone attempting to breach that system is starting at a huge disadvantage.I simply don't have the resources in time or money or emotional capital to breach the system at this time.Perhaps in the future, but not today.My sincere thanks for all your good wishes and support. I will continue to be active, and will continue to stand for that virtue that is sadly lacking in the American political system today -- Uncommon Common Sense.--Larry Voorhees

Speech from 4/11/09 Tea Party

2009-04-15T09:23:00.002-05:00

This is the basic text of the speech I gave on April 11th at the Tea Party in Des Moines:

Good afternoon. My name is Larry Voorhees, and I am a recovering American.
What do I mean by that phrase…”recovering American”….
Many things.
First of all, it means to me that for a period of time, I forgot what it was to be “an American”. I forgot that ours is a nation built on principles. A nation built on ideals. Built on the concepts of courtesy, being people of integrity, being people who have the capacity for perseverance, people of self-control….a nation with an indomitable spirit.

What else do I mean by stating that I am a “recovering American”? It means that while I sat back, and for a period of time, made some foolish choices, and that, either through my actions…or, more often, through my inactions, I allowed things to come into the life of my family, my community, my state, and my country….that I really shouldn’t have let happen.

But you see, I got suckered. I bought into the Great Lie. I bought into the song and dance that people were performing.

"America sucks. America is bad. We, as a nation, are evil. And the problems of this world? Why, they’re all our fault. It’s because of the very nature of the people of America that we have everything from drought to pestilence to over-weight children, to under-arm odor, to global warming to snowstorms in April…"

…oh wait.. this is Iowa….we usually get at least ONE dumping of snow in early April. Well, at least THAT hasn’t changed any.

But as I said, I bought into those lies. How did I buy into them? By sitting on my complacent rear end and saying things like “harrumph”…”gosh, that’s really bad. We really ought to do something about that.”

Anybody here ever watch the movie Blazing Saddles? Talk about a completely irreverent parody of just about everything. What I enjoy about that movie is that Mel Brooks pokes fun at everything that you’re not supposed to poke fun at. Remember the scene where they’re in the Governor’s office, and they announce there’s a problem, and immediately everyone starts saying “harrumph”?

Well…that’s what I did for a good long time. Just sit there, take it, and give the occasional “harrumph”.
Well, no longer. As I said, My name is Larry Voorhees, and I’m a recovering American. It has been several long months since I said my last “harrumph”, and decided that I was going to DO something about the lies that are being perpetrated on an all-too-complacent public by people that we (yes, myself included) have actually elected to represent us in our government.

So, I have decided that it’s time to make some statements. To take a stand. To draw a line in the sand. No, they’re not politically correct statments. You know what? I don’t give a rat’s rear end about “politically correct”. From what I’ve seen, being “politically correct” all-too-frequently equates to being “politically corrupt” or “politically emasculated”.
So…here we go. If you, too, are tired of sitting back and just “taking it”, I want to encourage you to acknowledge, with me, these statements.

1.
America Is Good.
Yes, America is GOOD. At it’s heart, we have the pulse of a nation that was brought forth on this continent in such a way that Lincoln said it was “conceived in liberty”. We have at it’s core the values of our founding fathers...and our great purpose…our Manifest Destiny, if you will, is to give people the opportunity to lift themselves up. “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” From where I stand, that’s pretty darned good.
2.
I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the external rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” from George Washington’s first Inaugural address.

If God be for us, who can stand against us? Our founding fathers new this to be true. Faith in God, the Creator of the Universe, was the foundation and bedrock on which they built their lives. Is it not reasonable to assume that since this new nation was predicated on Almighty God, and that they even went so far as to mention His providence several times in our Declaration of Independence and founding documents, that their intent…OUR intent…is that this is one nation UNDER God…not outside of Him?

3.
I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
“I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington

I’m a martial artist, for those of you that don’t know me. I’ve been involved in Taekwondo for over 25 years. Now…think about what just happened in your mind. Your concept of who and what a martial artist IS just changed dramatically. For some of you, your mental image of a martial artist has probably been limited to images of people like Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme, Jackie Chan…for those of you a bit older, Cynthia Rothrock, maybe Bruce Lee….TV and movie people. And that has been your limited experience with the martial arts. However…when I told you just now that I am a martial artist, you looked at me a little closer. Why? Because in your mind, your mental image of who and what a martial artist IS just shifted to also include this middle-aged guy standing in front of you. No longer was your mental picture limited to just what you’d had in mind before, but now, with new information and a slightly different perspective, you changed your perception. You HAD to change your perception…you had more information.
But that also puts a huge burden on me. You see, now YOU will be watching ME…to see what a “real” martial artist is really like. You’re going to be watching me to see if I live my life according to the Tenets of Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit. And everything I do and say will ultimately have some form of impact on your mental perception of what a “martial artist” really is. You may not have ever seen Chuck Norris in person, or heard him speak, or shaken his hand. But NOW…you have a new perception. And unless I do my best to live out my life in the way I know I should in front of you…I will damage your perception of the martial arts.

In the same manner, if I want the people who I elect to govern me with integrity…to govern me with honesty….I need to make sure that first of all, I live out that example in front of them. I need to model that behavior, and lead by example. Will I do it perfectly? Nope. Last time I checked, I was still a human being, and part of failed humanity. But for me, I HAVE to make the commitment every morning to live today better than I did yesterday.

4.
The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
“It is in the love of one’s family only that heartfelt happiness is known. By a law of our nature, we cannot be happy without the endearing connections of a family.” Thomas Jefferson

We are a communal creation. God did not create us to exist in a vacuum. And the closest community that we have is the family unit. Or perhaps, I should say…DID have. Until everyone and everything decided that they could simply make up their own definition of what a “family” is. Like the Iowa Supreme Court earlier this month. They just decided that even though our legislature had passed a law, that it wasn’t good enough. Even though our elected representatives had exercised the will of the majority of the people, a court made up of less than a dozen people who are appointed, not elected, decided…”naw….we don’t like that.”
Really? OK, how about this…if we put it into the Constitution, then it’s not “un-constitutional”. So, how about it, State Legislative Leaders? How about having the courage to get the question of a marriage amendment on the general ballot, and let’s settle this question once and for all? Let the PEOPLE OF IOWA decide, rather than the mouthy minority and out-of-state special interest groups. C’mon, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Gronstal…is you’re so CERTAIN that this is the “will of the people”, then what are you afraid of?
Or is it possible that this ruling is NOT the will of the people? Could that be why you’re afraid to bring it to a vote of the populace?

5.
If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
“I deem one of the essential principles of our government… equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.” Thomas Jefferson

Can’t argue with Jefferson there. But I’d like to take this point one step further. I’m going to propose something to you that is SO radical…SO outlandish…yet, in my mind, so filled with common sense…that I’m puzzled why somebody else hasn’t brought this up.
Let’s work from the basic assumption that those who break the law go to jail. Fair assumption?
Now…you and I, through our tax dollars, are paying for those people to be in jail. We feed them, clothe them, house them, provide health care for them….actually, if it wasn’t for the whole “lack of freedom thing”, it might be a pretty cushy way to pass the time. Get to work out, get to watch cable…

People in jail are “paying their debt to society”. However, the way I’m seeing it…when they’re in jail, they’re making society pay for them. I’m not seeing a return on my investment, here.
Why not actually have them repay their debt to society? Seriously! Why not? I’m thinking…just off the top of my head, here…road work. There are some county roads that could use some work. Flood levys. Some of those need repair. What about planting trees? How about growing gardens to supplement the food? Why is it that when people are “paying their debt to society”, that it’s you and me…”society”, that ends up going into debt? What about having those who are in jail for breaking the law, help repay their debt to society by working for the society that they have actually wronged?
Think of some of the savings in tax money. Less money required for infrastructure work on roads and levys, less money for food, if they grow some of their own. We could be helping these people learn valuable skills for when they DO re-enter society, by giving them real-life working and social skills while they are doing their time.
Crazy? Just crazy enough it could work, I say.

6.
I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
“Everyone has a natural right to choose that vocation in life which he thinks most likely to give him comfortable subsistence.” Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson is talking about the Free Will that God gives us here. But please note…just because I CHOOSE to become a pitcher for professional baseball, is no guarantee that I’m going to be extremely successful at it. Personally, do I think it would be cool to be a top-flight pitcher? Sure….the only problem is…I have absolutely ZERO skills in that area. So no matter how hard I work at it…my 50-year-old arm is never going to amount to a hill of beans. So, does that mean, just because I WANT to be a pitcher, and I suck at it, that YOU…you 12 people right over here…should kick up some money out of your pocket every month so that I can live in a fantasy world where I THINK I’m a great pitcher, but I really suck, but you pay me (or the government pays me) so that I can live as if I really WERE a great pitcher?
…I don’t think so…

7.
I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
“It is not everyone who asketh that deserveth charity; all however, are worth of the inquiry or the deserving may suffer.” George Washington

The Lord loves a cheerful giver. It isn’t “giving” if someone is telling me I HAVE to give. I am able to give out of my own generosity. I didn’t need someone telling me that I HAVE to do that. Let me share a quote from a Baptist minister from the 1930’s:

"You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it. You cannot legislate
the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.
What one person receives without working for, another person
must work for without receiving. The Government cannot give
to anybody anything that the Government does not first take from
somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do
not have to work because the other half is going to take care of
them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good
to work because somebody else is going to get what they work
for, that is surely the end of any nation's future."

Dr Adrian Rogers a Baptist minister back in 1931.

8.
It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
“In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude; every man will speak as he thinks, or more properly without thinking.” George Washington

For those of you that think President Washington might not have had a sense of humor, let me paraphrase what the man said there.
Everybody has the God-given right to make a complete and total ass of themselves. Unfortunately, some people exercise that right more often than others.

What he’s saying is: I have the God-given right to speak my mind. I have the First Amendment right to disagree with authority, and to share my opinion. I would go so far as to say that it is Un-American to attempt to squelch my voice. “You cannot restrain the voice of the multitude”.

You know, as a Taekwondo referee, I’ve run into this before. When the players are fighting, I have to control the players, so there aren’t any infractions of the rules. I also have to control the coaches, because sometimes (rarely) they are also capable of rule infractions.
But what about the people up in the stands? You know…the Little League moms and dads that are yelling, “Hey, jerk, where’s the points? What are you calling? THAT wasn’t holding! Are you blind?”

Gets a little unnerving. Funniest thing I ever saw at a tournament was a fairly new referee that let the crowd rattle her. At one point, she stopped the match, turned around, and gave the CROWD a full-point deduction penalty. Everybody looked around, a bit confused…I mean…who do you take the point away from? The guy in the stands with the purple megaphone?

Our State House of Representatives attempted to do this very thing earlier this month. They attempted to penalize the “crowd”, as it were.
However, in this case….it’s not so funny. In fact, it’s insulting. Perhaps some of our legislators have forgotten how they got to sit in their cushy part-time chairs for 30+ years. Well, I can assure you…WE have not forgotten….
And that brings me to my last point.

9.
The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
“I consider the people who constitute a society or a nation as the source of all authority in that nation.” Thomas Jefferson

That’s right….the PEOPLE are the source of all authority in THIS nation, and in this state.
In a former life in the corporate world, I worked in customer service, and as a customer service trainer, so I know good customer service when I receive it.
Well, in my opinion, I have NOT been receiving good customer service from our state legislature. I have been receiving, in my opinion, ZERO customer service from our state legislature.

So…just in case some folks in the statehouse didn’t hear it before, let me reiterate.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the General Assembly…you work for ME…you work for US…you work for WE THE PEOPLE. If you can’t understand that, then I put it to you that the line in the sand has been drawn, and you’d best put on your big-girl panties and DEAL with it!

We will NOT sit idly by and watch you destroy our state, and the very fabric of our nation.

It’s been said that “as Iowa goes, so goes the nation”.

Keep that in mind, people….because from where I’m sitting, it’s “house cleanin’ time”.

My name is Larry Voorhees, and I AM an American. I urge you ALL…don’t sit idly by, but stand up, and TAKE BACK YOUR NATION.

Speaker breaks House Rules

2009-04-02T09:17:00.001-05:00

I did a quick read of the House Rules yesterday. It appears that the public hearing was held under the auspices of the Ways and Means Committee, and the hearing was chaired by that committee's chairman. Therefore, according to the House Rules, only that committee chair had the authority to clear the House chambers. Speaker Murphy only has the authority to do so when the full House is In Session, but not during individual committee meetings/hearings.Therefore, according to the House Rules, it appears that Mr. Murphy simply usurped the authority of the Committee Chair, and ordered the chambers cleared.

Whassamatta, Mr. Murphy...hearing stuff you didn't like to hear? It would appear that way.

Remember...perception is reality.

...my two cents worth this morning.

--Larry Voorhees

Whose House is it, anyway?

2009-04-01T10:37:00.003-05:00

Well, I guess I'll have to blame my public school education. For years, I was taught that the House of Representatives was the "People's House".
Turns out that I was wrong, as proven by Speaker Murphy at the Iowa House of Representatives last night. He cleared the gallery. It seems that the vast majority of "the people" in "the people's house" are able to see through this blatant attempt to redistribute money from one group of people to another group of people.
And, as is usually the case, there still seems to be some "gray" about whether or not all of the money would be used for "tax relief".
First problem: taxing a tax.
Second problem: making Joe Public over here essentially give money to Joe Public over there.
Third problem: very thinly veiled communism, in my opinion.
Fourth problem: Robin Hood was fiction. THIS stuff, on the other hand, is very very real.

"The People" are not going to stand for this. Say goodbye to your cushy part-time gig you've had for 30+ years, Mr. Murphy. This is one major faux pax on your part that will NOT be forgotten.

Same thing for any of you legislators foolish enough to vote for this crap.

---my two cents worth today.

--Larry Voorhees

I'm not gonna participate.

2009-03-16T15:41:00.003-05:00

Did you ever play tennis? I did, when I was in high school. I wasn't all that good...not much more than an average player.
Funny thing about tennis...it takes two people, minimum, to play a game. There has to be somebody on the other side of the net to hit the ball back to you. If you don't hit the ball back...well, you don't have a game.
For the past several weeks, I've been hearing about how horrible our economy is, how the world is going to hell in a handbasket, how the sky is falling, etc.
Sure, my 401k has lost about 35% of it's value. That's why I'm invested in a model that's designed for people that aren't going to retire for another 15-20 years.
One thing I do remember from my high school economics class is that everything is cyclical. We've had periods of robust growth in our nation before. We've also had periods of retraction before. It happens.
Why is it that people are so surprised when we don't have constant, unimpeded growth? Is that realistic? Does that make sense?
C'mon, folks. We're from Iowa. We know that we have a planting season, a growing season, a harvest season, and a season of dormancy. But, sure enough, planting season comes back around again. So does the growing season.
Why would anyone believe that economic growth would be in a constant state of upward motion? That simply doesn't make sense.
So, I've decided that I'm simply not going to hit the ball back over the net. When the media tries to tell me that the sky is falling, and we're in the midst of a huge economic recession...I'm simply not going to play the game.
No, I'm not sticking my head in the sand. I see that there are downturns. I see that there are some people that are under water with their home mortgages.
But I don't see that running around wailing and moaning, flailing our arms in the air, and looking to the state or federal government to "save us" as being the solution.
In my opinion, the solution is to simply do the next right thing. In my case, that means that as long as I have a job, I'll continue to pay my bills, I'll continue to care for my family, I'll continue to support my church, the charities that I'm affiliated with, do my civic duty....but I will not...I absolutely REFUSE to buy into this whole "the sky is falling" baloney.
If the folks in the White House or the folks in the State House want to throw themselves a little pity party about how horrible stuff is...count me out. And I think they can count a whole lot of other Iowans out, too.
We're simply not gonna participate in their recession.

...and that's my two cents worth for today.
--Larry Voorhees

The Directionally Challenged

2009-02-03T16:02:00.002-06:00

I've been giving a fair amount of thought to the whole two-party thing. Sometimes, I just can't believe some of the things I'm hearing...from either party. Then, a few days ago, my lovely wife just simply said, "Why does it always have to be about the 'party'? Why can't it be about what's right, and what makes sense?"

She has a great point. Let me take just a couple of issues that our state legislature and governor are batting about currently, and ask those same simple questions.

Gov. Culver's suggestion that we borrow...what was the rough figure....$700 million? $680 million?...and pay that loan off out of "future gambling revenues".
Let me throw some questions at that...
Are "gambling revenues" an assured source of income? Can we guarantee that we, the state, will always receive X-amount of dollars from that venue? What if the national economy turns even further south...will individual expenses on gambling decrease, as many other forms of entertainment have?
I have always been taught that if there's any way around it, I should not put my family further into debt. This year, we are making a concerted effort in our household to drastically reduce our indebtedness. Should we be any less careful stewards on the state level? If our household experiences a huge shortfall of income, should I go borrow money, in the hope that I win the lottery to pay it off? OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it's in the same vein.
I applaud Mr. Culver's suggestion that there is a 6.5% budget cut across the board. But as soon as it was announced, did anyone else hear the hue and cry from all the individual groups/department/special interests that said, "That's fine for everyone else, but you can't cut OUR program budget, because we're ESSENTIAL." So, instead of it really being "across the board", it became "across the board unless you can convince enough people that you're a special exemption". Soon, everyone will want to be "special".
We're facing tough economic times, folks. All of us. Because tax revenues are falling off, I would expect the State to take the same approach that our household does when money gets short. We cut back. Period. We make the adjustments we need to make. But we use common sense. We have a few non-negotiables, like the house payment. But we CAN cut back on electricity, some other things, that we have a bit of control over. We can cut down on that cup of coffee, or that dinner out. I would expect the state to approach things in a similar manner. Can there be across-the-board cuts? I don't know. Certainly not without reducing some services. Are there services that we, as a people, simply can NOT have trimmed down at all? I would think that every department would/could trim expenses at least a little bit.
Most of the people I know this year are not getting much, if any, of a raise in pay this year. The standard I've heard is 1% increase, at most. Majority of people's wages are being frozen. But the state employees' union asks for a 5% raise, both this year and next year? Aren't they living in the same economy that I am? And when "income" for the state coffers is projected to be down, is it logical to assume that there will be money available for 5% raises? When the Gov. is asking all departments to trim 6.5%? Where's the common sense in that?
That's not Republican or Democrat, that's simply common sense.

How about the "fair pay" bill? If I'm working for a company, but I'm required to pay a fee to a union that I don't want to have represent me, that is in direct contrast to the right-to-work law we currently have in place. I know...some unions are fussing that they are required by law to represent the non-members in their workplace. However, that only applies if they are the EXCLUSIVE represenatives allowed in that workplace. If they don't have exclusivity, they aren't required to represent the non-members. So, rather than insisting that every single worker pay another "tax" to unions, why not, rather, simply work to have that single piece of the law repealed. Or better yet, simply not request exclusivity at a given employer. Then, the union isn't required to represent the non-members. I mean...that IS the issue, isn't it?
At least, that is what the unions are saying. They're saying that they don't want to have to represent the non-members without them paying a "reasonable" amount for that service. OK, don't be "exclusive", and you aren't bound by law to represent them. It doesn't cost you any money, it doesn't cost the union any money (except the increase in funds that they will NOT be receiving), and it doesn't cost the company or the non-union worker any money. Sounds economically feasible to me.
Again, that's not a Democrat or Republican viewpoint...it's just plain common sense.

and that's my two cents worth for today.

--Larry Voorhees

First of the Year

2009-01-07T13:42:00.003-06:00

Whew! Talk about an exercise in survival skills! December was a bit of one, for our household. My daughter graduated college, so drove to Moorhead, MN, for the graduation ceremony at Concordia College on Dec. 17th. Then, Christmas Eve-eve services at POG (Dec. 23rd), then Christmas Day, then hop in the car and scoot up to Minneapolis for daugther's wedding on Dec. 27th.
Then, up to Battle Creek, Iowa, to go deer hunting with my friend, Randy, on Jan. 1 & 2 (unsuccessful). Was going to go out chasing Bambi again on the 3rd and 4th down by Knoxville, but freezing drizzle on the 3rd and really cold wind-chills on the 4th, and not having had much "quiet time" with my wife for too long...well, I stayed home. I have one last chance for some venison. Randy and I are going to go out first thing in the morning on the 10th, and see if we can find one deer that's less intelligent than I am.

I was speaking with my TKD students last night about New Year's Resolutions. I asked them what the difference was between a "resolution" and a "revolution". The condensed version of that discussion amounts to: a "resolution" is a plan or a belief. a "revolution" is an upheaval, or complete diametric change -- a casting off of the old, and putting on of the new.

Resolutions are easily made, and easily forgotten. Revolutions are not glossed-over quite so easily.

Here is to hoping that the New Year brings you closer to achieving your "revolutions".

...my two cents worth for today.

--Larry Voorhees

Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T11:48:00.004-06:00

Time for reflection, at least in our household.
Someone asked me once, "What are you thankful for?" A response I heard from a friend at church went something like, "all of the things that didn't happen to me this week."
It took me a few minutes to wrap my head around that, but it does present an interesting point of view.
I didn't lose my job. No one in my family was diagnosed with an incurable disease. My wife (who has been traveling a bit lately) hasn't been in a car accident. While our financial resources are stretched, God has provided what we need to meet our needs and obligations. While I have a slight touch of a cold/flu, I'm not bedridden. (OK, I am a guy, therefore I must whine when I'm sick!)

Gas prices continue to stay lower (except for that $.14 bounce in one day...what's up with that?), our family is healthy, our friends are doing well, and despite all the gloom and doom that everyone is spouting in the media about the economic situation, it appears people are still going out shopping.

What else? Well, we don't have people attacking/blowing up our airports, like in Thailand. We are experiencing a calm, orderly transition from one government to the next. We aren't locking up dissidents, we aren't arresting protesters. We aren't stopping people from expressing their God-given rights. We still have the Constitution, we still live in a (relatively) free country.

All-in-all, I'd have to say, there is a great deal to be thankful for.

Is there suffering, injustice..."evil", if you will, in the world? Absolutely. We still live in a "fallen" world. Are there still people dedicated to doing all they can to combat that evil? Absolutely. And while we may differ on how to approach those evils, and we may have different ideas on what is the best way to promote freedom, independence and liberty, I would have to say that even with those differences, there are good people everywhere standing shoulder-to-shoulder, making a difference, each in their own way. Some people, it's on a huge, world-wide stage. Others, it's in our neighborhoods, our community centers, or even just within the four walls of our own homes.

I have a couple of people I'd like to ask you to pray for, if you are willing. Their names are Steve and Tiffany. I have no idea what their last name are, and I don't really need to know. My wife and I met Steve and Tiffany a couple weekends ago. We met them at the end of the off-ramp from west-bound I80-I35 and Merle Hay Road. They were standing there asking for handouts. I stopped the car at the nearby convenience store, and told Carrie that something was telling me that we should stop and help. Now for those of you that don't know me...I don't usually get big nudges from God like that. But this one was very strong, very compelling.

So, we walked over to this couple, and asked what they needed most. They had been living in a tent/lean-to near the creek about 200 yards away, and everything they owned was in a small, red wagon. It had rained a couple days earlier, and everything was soaked. Steve and Tiffany very humbly asked if we could help them out with enough cash so they could take all their gear and clothes to a laundromat (about 2 miles away), and wash and dry their stuff. We chatted with them a bit more, finding out that they were short of warm clothing, short of food, short of toiletries and essentials....

Long story short, we took them over to the Ramada that was about 100 yards away, got them a room for the night, told them we'd be back in about an hour.
We ran to Wally World, and got clothing, camping supplies, coats, boots, gloves, hats, food, tarp, and rolls of quarters. We spent about $500 that we really didn't have. But God was telling me it was the right thing to do.
We went back to the Ramada, knocked on their door, and piled everything on the bed, gave them both a hug, and left. On the way out, we stopped at the desk, gave the clerk my card, and told him that if they needed anything else to call me, and we'd pay for it.

I went by there this past weekend, and the area where they had been staying is clear. No tents, nothing. So I am hoping that they were able to continue on to wherever they were going, and that they are well and warm. I would ask you all to pray for their safety, their health, and their restoration to their families.

God is good. As I said, we really didn't have any extra money in our budget. Within two days, my wife received a bonus from her work. Amount? Just over $500. It was within a few dollars of the total we had spent.

My prayer for each of you this Thanksgiving is that you take the time to thank God for all He has done, and for all He has protected you from.

...my two cents worth for today.

--Larry Voorhees

Money

2008-11-13T13:24:00.003-06:00

Just had another thought I'd like to share.

It's interesting what one can find out when they go do a little on-line research in the public domain.

My opponent in the recent election raised over $40,000 for his campaign. Awesome!
From the financial records posted, it appears that only ONE of those donations ($500) came from an individual, and that individual doesn't reside in the district. All the rest of the donations were from what appears to be political action committees, with some of them being out-of-state entities, and the address of one of the PAC's being the same as the address of the one individual contributor.

I raised approximately $4,000, from friends and family, and business owners in the district. Only one of my donations came from a political action committee ($150).

My opponent was so flush with cash that he even donated $10,000 to the House Truman Fund.

So....was the election about issues and who really will represent the people of the Northeast side best, or was it about somebody being propped-up in the Statehouse with PAC money?

Does the question become: "How much does it cost to get and 'keep' a State Representative?"

Someone should ask those PACs and unions....do you really think you're getting your money's worth?

I would encourage everyone to keep an eye on the Statehouse this year. A close eye.

...and one hand on your wallet.

my two cents worth.

--Larry Voorhees

"Change'

2008-11-13T13:21:00.000-06:00

Just a quick observation today. President-elect Obama was all about "change", and "getting rid of the Washington insiders", etc., etc.

Interesting that as of today, the majority of the people he has named to prominent positions on his transition team are all Washington insiders and/or previously involved in the Clinton administration....

help me understand how that is "change"?

...just my two cents worth today.

--Larry Voorhees

In the meantime...

2008-11-06T11:07:00.003-06:00

I've always been an avid reader. When I was a kid, my folks would always be getting after me, because rather than doing chores (or homework), I'd almost always have my nose buried in a book.
Absolutely loved the Hardy Boys series, and Tom Swift, Jr. I guess I had a real taste for action/adventure stuff. As I got older, and was living out west, I discovered Louis L'Amour, and especially his Sackett Series.
In the past year or so, one of my students (who also is a pastor) and I have taken to writing action/adventure novels. These have been a great deal of fun for us, and I thought I'd share them with you. Well, at least with those of you that like reading that sort of thing.
How to describe them? Well, action/adventure, with a martial arts twist, drama, intrigue, plot twists, mystery....pretty well sprinkled with a strong spiritual base, as well.
If you're truly interested, we've published the first two in the series on Lulu.com. You can see the "brag sheets" and ordering information by going to:
http://stores.lulu.com/5Tenets.
I'd be very interested to hear what those of you that read them think about them.

my two cents worth today...

--Larry Voorhees

2500 people

2008-11-05T08:55:00.002-06:00

That's the difference. I will need to be able to make the time to get out and speak to 2500 more people in 2010 than I did this year. Which shouldn't be too hard, considering I started my campaign in late August this year.
Based on the reactions I received from the people I spoke with this year when I was door-knocking, I am convinced that if people have the opportunity to make an informed decision, they will find that I represent ideas and convictions that are more in-line with their own than my opponent does.
But, in the absence of information to the contrary, they simply do "what they have always done", which is vote by party-line.

One thing I've learned from my years in the ring as a sparring competitor. Every time I lose a match, I learn something. And I make sure that I use that new knowledge the next time I get into the ring with that same person, and I make certain that I win the rematch.

There will be a rematch. The result will be different.

my two cents worth for today.

--Larry Voorhees

Time for a change!

2008-11-04T08:57:00.002-06:00

Today is your opportunity to make a difference. The big theme we've been hearing from everyone this year is "change". Well, everyone, that is, except those currently in office. Well, for those who wish to keep the government's hands out of our pockets, and who would like to have people in the State House that are willing to listen to and be accountable to the people of the district they are supposed to represent, we believe it IS time for a change.

Today, your voice and your vote will be heard. I need at least 3,500 to 4,000 people in our district to decide that enough is enough, and it's time we brought some common sense back into the state house. I need those people...I need YOU...to vote for me today.

--Larry Voorhees

Redistribution of the Wealth

2008-10-29T11:51:00.002-05:00

A friend of mine sent me this today, and it was simply too thought-provoking to pass up.

Redistribution of wealth
Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign the read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.
Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I
laughed-just imagine the coincidence.
Suddenly, it hit me. An experiment is in order. I asked the server, did he really believe that Obama's platform was a good one? Yes, he did. When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept.
He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need - the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10, and told him to thank the server
inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was
grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized
the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter
was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn, even though the
actual recipient needed the money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept
than in practical application - at least if it is your wealth that is being redistributed.

Or, is it that......... REDISTRIBUTION OF SOMEONE ELSE'S WEALTH IS A GREAT IDEA...............or just a fools political game !!

Be wary. Be afraid. Once socialism starts, there is no end. The productive citizens wind up supporting the non-productive ones forever, and what you earn becomes no longer yours.
PS. I wonder how the waiter feels about redistribution of the wealth, now?

Redistribution of the Wealth.....another fancy way of saying "stealing."

my two cents worth today.

--Larry Voorhees

Who I am, and Why I'm running

2008-10-10T09:43:00.003-05:00

Let me begin with a couple of quotes.

"WE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa."

Any idea where that's from? Correct...that is the Preamble to the Constitution of the State of Iowa. How about this next one?

"Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain."

You guessed it...that's the State Motto. It can be found on our State flag, and elsewhere.

My name is Larry Voorhees, and I’m applying for a job. The job I’m applying for is to represent the people of Northeast Des Moines in the Iowa House of Representatives. I’m asking you to hire me and allow me the privilege of serving you, the 68th District, and being your voice in the State Capitol, for the next 2 years.

With that said, I feel it only fair that I tell you a little bit about me. That way, you know what you’re getting when you hire me.

I’m not a professional politician. For one thing, I believe that “integrity” is a character trait that is essential for a person in public office. Some folks have called me “brutally honest”. I’m not sure what that means, because I don’t understand why being honest has to be considered “brutal”.

I believe it’s of the utmost importance to listen to and respond to the people that I represent. After all, they’re the ones who hired me. I work for them.

I am an independent thinker. I can analyze information, come to a reasonable conclusion, and vote for doing the “next right thing”. I don’t make deals. I don’t make trades. Right is right, wrong is wrong, and a man of integrity doesn’t trade one for the other. That's the difference between having a belief or a "position", and having a "conviction".

I believe that tomorrow’s politician will have the mindset that George Washington had. You see, he believed in the citizens of this nation being the ones who actually participated in the government. He had a concern that if the same people were always in power and always in the government, that they’d become the “new nobility”…the new “ruling class”. He’d seen enough of that. In fact, we’d just been through a war of Independence to rid ourselves of just such a system of society, where the “special people” were “entitled”, and everybody else wasn’t.
I have direct ancestors that have fought in almost every war, starting with the American Revolution. My dad, my uncle and my father-in-law all served in the Army…my father-in-law during WWII, and my dad and uncle during the Korean war. The men in my family have worn the uniform of this country for generations, to ensure a government of, by and for the people.

Did you know that Washington was offered the position of “President for Life”.? He turned it down. He set the pattern of a president only serving two terms. After Roosevelt (the only president to serve MORE than two terms), an amendment was made to the US Constitution limiting future presidents to no more than two terms. Why? Because this government is supposed to be run by citizen-legislators, not professional politicians.
I tell you right here and now that if elected, I will serve as State Representative for this district for no more than two terms. Then, it will be time for someone else to step forward to serve.

Today, I find myself to be a dissatisfied customer, if you will. You see, I am sorely dissatisfied that our most recent legislature doesn’t think that the people of this state can make some decisions on their own.

What do I mean by that? Well, there’s has been a movement to put a question to the general populace in the form of a constitutional amendment defining marriage in Iowa as being “between one man and one woman”. So, why isn’t that on the general election ballot for next month? Because it would have to be debated on the floor of the legislature, and many of the members of the legislature don’t want to have to go on record as being opposed to it. But if you don’t ever let it out of committee, or don’t bring it to the floor for discussion, it can be effectively “ignored”. Well, I believe that the people of this state are able to decide for themselves whether or not they want that definition as a part of their state constitution. I will push to have that issue brought to a vote in a general election.

What else…oh yes! The smoking ban. I don’t smoke cigarettes. My wife doesn’t, my folks don’t, …and you know what? If I don’t want to frequent an establishment that allows smoking…I’m smart enough to decide for myself that I’m not going to. But if I want to go to Toad’s over here north of the Fairgrounds because I like the fact they have Fat Tire on tap, and I know that the owner allows smoking…well, then I have to decide if one is worth the other or not. But you know what? I’m pretty sure I’m smart enough to make that choice myself. I’m pretty certain that I don’t need the state legislature making that determination for me.

As a small business owner myself, I bristle at the thought of the state telling me what I can and cannot do in my own business.

“Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain”.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, not only here in Iowa, but throughout the country. The more obstacles and hurdles we put in front of small businesses, the harder it will be to keep their doors open. And what happens if small businesses fail? I’ll tell you what….it’ll make the craziness of Wall Street over the past 2 months seem like a picnic in the park by comparison. Terrorists won’t have to attack this country to destroy it….we’ll do it for them, just through legislation that implodes our own economy.

Let’s talk about taxes for a minute. Anybody here that feels like they aren’t paying enough in taxes, and would like to make a free-will donation to the state general fund, please raise your hand. What... no volunteers? Nobody feel quite that "patriotic"?

Now let me take a look at that Preamble to the state constitution again. “We the People”. “free and independent state”. Okay, a little clarity first. Like my momma says, nothin’s “free”, everything has a cost. I would echo that and add, “especially freedom.” Sometimes we pay for our freedom with blood. Fortunately, more often, the cost is just money. But I’d like to suggest a philosophical notion to you. In my opinion, all too frequently, we hear people in the State House talking about “the state’s money” and “the state’s budget” and “the state’s expenditures”….
I submit to you this concept for consideration: The State doesn’t HAVE any money. The money that is in the state general fund is YOUR money. It is MY money. If the state is truly the servant of the people, then we need to remember that concept. That money has been given to the state in trust, to SERVE the people of Iowa. And I believe that the State needs to do a better job at being good stewards of the resources that they are holding in trust for you and me, before ANYbody starts talking about giving them MORE resources. Like the Bible says…those who are faithful with a little will be given more. I want to step in there and see if I can’t help them be MORE faithful with what has already been given. I’m not convinced that it’s being well-used today.

I graduated college as a school teacher, and I went on to teach school for over 10 years. I am familiar with the education system, and have seen how that system works in other states, as well. You know one thing that really frustrates me? People are focused a great deal on the question of “what can we do to make our schools more successful”. I prefer to ask this question: “what can we do to make sure that we graduate students who are proficient at the necessary skills for them to be successful.”

First problem, we don’t graduate enough of our students from high school. Corollary to that issue is the fact that those we DO graduate, don’t have the basic skills necessary to be successful, either in a vocation, or in higher education. Reading, Writing, Reading Comprehension, Calculation skills, basic economic understanding, American History, Understanding and Appreciation for the Arts, Science, Physical Education. These are the core basics of any good education system. However, if Little Johnny is in 3rd grade, and he can’t read at a 3rd grade level, he can’t write, comprehend, do math, understand money, know some basic American History, hasn’t had any exposure to art or music, doesn't know that water and electricity don't go together, and he plays video games or watches TV all day …..have we done our job in the education of our children?
Worse yet, somebody gets the wild idea that it would arrest little Johnny’s emotional development if he doesn’t move into the 4th grade with his peers, so we move him into 4th grade. And we spend a bunch of money on special classes, special tutors, self-esteem lectures, and a whole host of other social agenda-focused items…and in 8-9 more years, Little Johnny walks up to a podium, receives a high school diploma, and still can’t function in our society, because he can’t read, write, balance a checkbook, understand what credit is, know what his civic duties and rights are. So what happens? YOUR tax money, and MY tax money are then used to subsidize little Johnny, because the poor boy has no skills, and is totally unemployable, so it’s up to US to support him, because he simply can’t support himself.

I have a scientific, technical term for that kind of system.

“Baloney”.

I would propose the following:

NO “social promotions”. Zero.
Use the Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED’s) as baseline points in 4th, 8th and 10th grade.
Institute an “exit exam” for graduation. Either the state provides one, or the individual school districts can design their own, provided it tests on the basic criteria at least at the same level as the state one, as a minimum.
Make that Core Curriculum I mentioned earlier a requirement across the board. If local school boards want to add electives to their curriculum above and beyond that, great, but reading, writing, computational skills, American History and Civics, Arts and/or Music, and a mandatory class in PE every single year of high school. And I mean PHYSICAL education. Something that will teach our children how to be physically active for the rest of their lives.

I’ve been asked several times why I’m running for this job. I mean, there are a lot of factors that would actively deter me from running. Actually, if I’m elected, it’s going to result in some…creative restructuring of our household’s finances. You see, when I told my boss that I was going to run for office, and that if elected, I’d be asking for an unpaid leave of absence for the 4 months that the legislature is in session….she told me that she applauded my desire to be involved in the community, but that if I was elected, I’d have to decide whether I was going to continue to work for the company or not.
I can tell you, it isn’t about the money. We’ll be cutting our household budget significantly by me being elected and having to quit my job. Why would I do that?

I mentioned earlier that I also run a small business. I’m a Taekwondo instructor. I’ve been a black belt in Taekwondo for over 20 years. We run several part-time clubs in churches and community centers around central Iowa. No, we really don’t make any money at that, either, but that’s pretty much by choice. Okay, Carrie would prefer that I be a bit more concerned about actually making money doing it, but for me, teaching Taekwondo is a way for me to be able to impact people’s lives. You see, we don’t just teach kicking and punching and wearing the cool white pajamas. Those are all just the vehicle that we use to teach people how to live lives of Courtesy, and Integrity. Have Perseverance and Self-Control How to confront life and obstacles with an Indomitable Spirit.

Those of us that have the ability to do something and make a difference, also have the duty and moral obligation to do something and make a difference. It would be wrong of me to teach my black belts that I expect them to have the heart of a servant, if I’m not willing to live that out in front of them….if I’m not willing to live that out in front of YOU….on a daily basis.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is who I am. This is why I am doing what I am doing. And this is what I am going to do for you, as your elected representative to the Iowa State House for District #68.

and that is my two cents worth for today.

--Larry Voorhees

Meet the Candidate Neighborhood meeting/fundraiser/rally

2008-10-01T09:51:00.003-05:00

Thursday, October 9th, there will be a Meet the Candidate event. The public is invited to come to the office of The Entertainment Group, 2400 Easton Blvd, in Des Moines. There will be free food and refreshments, and some games for the kids, so please bring your whole family, your friends, and your neighbors.
This will be an opportunity for voters on the Northeast Side of Des Moines to meet me, and for me to meet you, and hear what you have to say. This is your opportunity to make your voices heard. I truly covet your input and want to take advantage of every possible opportunity to speak with you and listen to your ideas and concerns.
I've said it before....one person CAN make a difference. Each and every vote and voter is important. So, please...come join with me and your neighbors on October 9th, from 6-8 PM at the Entertainment Group, 2400 Easton Blvd. I look forward to seeing you there.
--Larry Voorhees

New Wind blowing in NE Des Moines

2008-09-22T09:38:00.003-05:00

My wife and I spent a goodly amount of time this past weekend knocking on doors. The weather was beautiful, and the people we had the opportunity to meet were just as beautiful. It's been amazing. The response we get from people we meet has been overwhelmingly positive.
We knock on the door, and tell folks that I'm running for the Iowa House to represent our neighborhood and district, and that my number one goal is to try and bring more "common sense" back into the State House. That seems to be striking a chord with almost everyone we're speaking with. It seems that the vast majority of the people in our district (NE Des Moines) are thinking that "common sense" is something that has been sorely lacking in the legislature lately, and vast majority of people don't believe that they have been well-represented at all.
The feel that we 're getting from the people we're speaking with is that it's time for a change. It's time to bring state government back to the level that it was intended...something good for everyone, not something that we try to make so darned complicated that only a chosen few can even figure it out.
Government isn't brain surgery. Doing the next right thing isn't rocket science. Why does it have to sound like it's so complex that Joe Public can't possibly undertand it, and should leave the workings of the government to those special select few that sit up on the Hill and pontificate? Bottom line: it doesn't. It's time to make things simply and clear once again.

One extra note from this past weekend: Carrie and I went to the Open House for the Capital City Moose Lodge that opened up over on our side of town. Welcome to the Moose Lodge to the northeast side, and we're glad to have you as neighbors.

and that's my two cents worth for today.

--Larry Voorhees

Indomitable Spirit

2008-09-15T10:17:00.002-05:00

Indomitable Spirit. That capacity we have for continuing on in the face of overwhelming odds, knowing that we will be victorious, because we are doing the "next right thing".
When I first decided to run for the State House, I was met with a bit of skepticism. Friends, family, even people in the party...the response was never overtly "you're gonna get your butt kicked", but it generally ran along the lines of, "good luck with that".
I have been told that it is impossible for the people in District #68 to elect me, because the majority of the people in our district simply vote for whomever they are told to vote for. Or they vote for the incumbent, because it's "easy".

Odd. With the hundreds and hundreds of doors we've knocked on, the overwhelming response that we have been getting from people is that not only are they excited that they will finally have a choice on the ballot this time, but they are more than ready for a change in the representation of our district. The people of our district are ready for someone who will be responsive to their wants/needs. They are ready for someone who will respond to their emails, phone calls and letters. They are ready to get rid of the "good ol' boy" syndrome and cronyism that seems to permeate the current status quo.

From what people who have been greeting us at their doors are telling us, the people of district #68 are ready for change. They are ready for someone to be working for Iowa's tomorrow today. They are no longer content to simply "go with the flow", but want someone in the State House who will help them re-direct the flow so that it benefits everyone, not just a select few.

I've never been one to believe that I'm beaten before I've begun. In fact, every time I step into the ring at a tournament, I tell myself that I've already won the match, I just need the other guy in the ring for me to score points on so that the result is "official". That's not arrogance, that's having an Indomitable Spirit.

I am so pleased to see that the people of district #68 have common sense, and a measure of Indomitable Spirit. The people we've had the chance to meet and speak with aren't willing to simply roll over and do what they're told. They have a brain, they have a voice, and they're not afraid to use them both to bring about the changes in our district and our state that need to happen.

We've already won. We just need you to show up at the polls on Nov. 4th so that we can "score the points" on the opponent, so that the results can be official.

I'm looking forward to meeting many more of you in the weeks to come, and thank you for your support.

--Larry Voorhees

Self-Control

2008-09-10T15:40:00.004-05:00

Hot fudge malts, with extra hot fudge, made with chocolate ice cream. There's a little shop in our district on Hubbell that my wife and I drool and swoon about during those long, cold winter months. Then, magically, usually in April, we'll happen to drive by the shop and notice that they're open. Yay! Grandma's is open! And we can indulge in our favorite shared treat.
I tell you, in my opinion, nobody makes a hot fudge malt with extra hot fudge and chocolate ice cream better than the folks at Grandma's Sweet Shop. And we indulge during the summer. At least once a week, usually more often.
Fortunately for our waistlines, we both tend to be quite active in the summer. My wife is forever doing something in the yard with her flowers. I tend to be also working in the yard more, or kicking at class more often. In any event, those wonderful hot fudge malts tend not to add to our waistlines.
However, as the weather gets cooler, we tend to be less active outdoors, and if we didn't curtail our hot-fudge malt consumption, we'd be packing on the pounds in very short order.
I can't speak for my wife or anyone else, but I really like chocolate. I can rationalize eating chocolate with the best of them.
Do you know what it means if you've got melted chocolate on your hands? It means you're eating it too slowly.
Did you know chocolate is a vegetable? Yup...it's made from beans.
See?
But without a modicum of self-control, I'd be twice the size I am, and probably suffering from some serious medical malady.
How important is it that our public leaders have the ability to exercise self-control?
You tell me. Personally, I think it ties back into the concept of Integrity. For instance, the speed limit on I-235 is 55 mph. I know...the way folks drive during rush hour, you'd think it was 70+. But no, it's actually posted at 55.
So, as an exercise in self-control, I put on the cruise-control at 55, and leave it there. You should see some of the looks I get from irate drivers that think I'm driving too slow! I just wave, and smile, and hope they don't get in accident.
Self-control in what we do as individuals is a tenet that is essential for a person that is given a position in the public trust. Our elected officials have to be people with convictions based in self-control, so that we can have the expectation that they will exercise prudence, good common sense, and self-control when it comes to governing and developing our laws.
But I would like to take that one step further. I would like to challenge all of you reading this to try an exercise in self-control
For one week, I would like to suggest that you drive the speed limit. Not one mile per hour faster. Scrupulously obey the speed limit. Too slow? No problem, just contact your local authorities and find out the proper manner to petition to have a speed limit changed, and go through those hoops to do so. But until that sign is changed, or that law altered, drive the limit, and not one mph over.
Try it for a week. Just one week. See how good it feels to be in control of one's self, even in just one small area of your life.

That's my two cents worth today.

--Larry Voorhees

Helping people realize they matter

2008-09-04T08:27:00.002-05:00

Over the past few days, I've spoken with many people who have listened politely, and then made some comment to the effect of, "But I'm only one person. I don't count for much."
I've heard others say something similar, especially when it comes to encouraging them to vote. "I'm only one vote, and one vote doesn't make a difference".
One person DOES make a difference. In fact, that is the ONLY thing that makes a difference, is each individual.
I believe we need to encourage our society that the individual IS important, and that we, as a collective group of individuals, have the ability to impact change.

"Change". That's been the buzzword this year, hasn't it? Everybody seems to be clamoring for "change", from every soapbox and in every stump-speech. But humans don't like "change". We tend to be creatures of habit. Think about it...many would prefer to remain in an uncomfortable or unfavorable position, place or relationship, rather than face the unknown that comes with "change".

Is that why we are where we are? Let's look at the state of Iowa. For the past x-number of years, we've had a Democrat-controlled governor's office. For the past 2 years, we've also had a state legislature that is strongly controlled by the same party. And are people happy with what has come out of the state capitol for the past two years? Not by a long shot. We've managed to whittle and chip away at individual rights and liberties. We've managed to fritter away tax dollars, and expand spending. We narrowly averted the forcing of workers to support ideas and causes that were against their beliefs. We forced business owners to comply with a state mandate that, for some, has driven their business revenues down.

What has happened to "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain"?

I, for one, am not ready to simply hand our state motto over to be revamped without a fight. Yes, I'm an individual, and yes, I CAN make a difference. So can YOU.

I had the honor of meeting with about 20 college-aged students last night. Talk about energy! Talk about personal accountability! These people KNOW that they can make a difference as an individual, as well as collectively. They understand that is starts with one person. They realize that each and every person really DOES make a difference, be it as a volunteer, as a campaign staffer, as a door-knocker, as a caller, or even 'just' when they show up to cast their ballot.

This nation is made up of a group of individuals who work toward the common good. But it is not "them", it is "us".

Remember your basic history classes...."We, the people...". Well, YOU are one of the "we, the people". Without you, it isn't "we", it's "them". And I'm pretty sure the Constitution doesn't start with, "Them, those people over there...."

Maybe that is the biggest calling of this campaign....to help people realize that "we" really do matter, as an individual. And "we" really need every single one of "you" to decide that it really IS time for a change.
Vote for change. Vote for Voorhees for State House.

And that, my friends, is my two cents worth today.

--Larry Voorhees

Beat the Streets

2008-09-01T07:15:00.004-05:00

Well, we've begun our door-to-door campaign. The Boss and I hit well over 100 households in about 4 hours, and received very favorable responses.
It's amazing how many people have no idea who the incumbent is. Several we ran across had no idea that in our district, the Representative is someone from their very own neighborhood, not some distant person from some other town. So perhaps that is the greater purpose of this campaign...to educate the electorate as to exactly what impact they can have on individual campaigns and on the election in general.
I've run across many people over the years who take the approach of, "well, I'm only one voice. I can't make any difference. Besides, it's all politics."
Hello! That's what 'politics' is supposed to be all about! One person, making their voice heard, in chorus with other like-minded people. It begins with an individual, and grows into a solid wave of people united for a common good.
How many times have we sat around talking with our friends, and these types of comments are made:
Wow, I can't imagine where all our tax money goes!
Can you believe the stuff they're putting in front of our kids in school?
Why should my tax dollars pay for somebody that doesn't want to go out and look for a job?
My small business is struggling just to make ends meet, and they want to raise my property taxes.
Isn't that money supposed to go to the schools/lower property taxes/fix our roads?
Why can't I get anyone at the State House to return my calls/emails?

We all have asked questions or made statements like this. Well, I've decided that I want answers to these questions, and I want solid, intelligent conversation around these statements. What I found this past weekend is that many people in northeast Des Moines do, too. They don't feel they've been getting them for many, many years now, and they think it's time for a change.

Call for Action
If you feel the same way, and you think you could spare 4-5 hours this coming Saturday, (Sept. 6), we'd like to invite you to come and "beat the streets" with us and our friends and neighbors. We will meet at our home, 2563 E Tiffin Ave, at 1 PM. We will spend about 20 minutes giving instructions, making assignments of areas, and generally getting organized. Then, we'll send people out in teams of two throughout District #68, to knock on doors, hand out literature, and encourage people to support us in our bid to get a Voorhees in the State House. Then, we'll all get together back at the house at 5:30 for some food, and to recap the day.
Depending on how much of the District we get covered this Saturday, we're also planning on doing it again on Saturday, Sept. 20th. We believe that with enough of our friends, neighbors, and you readers that also want to help make a difference, we can canvass the entire District in just 2 Saturday afternoons.
If you want to help, just show up at our house by 1 PM this Saturday, or give us a call at 515-263-9299, or email us at: larryvoorhees@gmail.com.

Together, "we, the people" CAN make a difference.

--Larry Voorhees

Perseverance

2008-08-27T08:48:00.002-05:00

Perseverance is that capacity that we have for knowing that a course of action is the "right" one, and continuing to hold that course, even when faced with adversity.
Now, this is not to be confused with "pig-headed" or "stubborn". It is a celebration of the virtue of working through the tough, boring, repetitive times. It is also the ability to continue to drive and lead, in the direction of positive change, toward a well-defined goal.
It takes perseverance to achieve a black belt. Hours, which become years, of training and exhertion.
It also takes perseverance to become an elected official.
However, these are two different things.

Becoming a black belt is an individualistic goal. One must have the personal desire to become a black belt. You cannot be successful in your quest to achieve black belt status if your motivation and drive are not intrinsic. You can't become a black belt "for" someone else.

On the other hand, I believe that if one wishes to become an elected official, it has to be "for" other people. If someone is wanting to an elected official merely because they want to, and they think it would be a "cool thing to do"...personally I don't think they stand much of a chance.

Why?

Because in my mind, the purpose of the position is at odds with the motivation. To me, the purpose of an elected official is to serve the people who elected him/her. The elected official is to represent the majority will of the individuals s/he represents.

I believe that the tenet of perseverance that I have lived and learned as a martial artist will hold me in good stead during my campaign for the state legislature. Becoming a legislator is not something that I choose to do for myself. On the contrary...I can see little or no personal advantage to my being a legislator. However, I firmly believe that those of us who have the ability to make a difference also have the obligation to do so. My understanding and application of 'perseverance' will hold me in good stead throughout the course of this campaign, and will be one of the qualities that I bring to the legislature as I serve my district.

I believe the people in our district deserve that, and nothing less.

my two cents worth today.

--Larry Voorhees

Integrity

2008-08-19T09:16:00.002-05:00

Integrity. Knowing "right" from "wrong", and choosing the next right thing, regardless of who is watching, or especially, if no one is watching.
Some folks really struggle with this concept today. Many will say that there is no "right" or "wrong". It all depends on the person, their personal value set, the circumstances, the situation, their background and upbringing, and society's current norms.
Let me see if I can find a single, succinct word that sums up my feelings on that approach.

Baloney.

That mindset smacks of something I call "situational ethics" or "values of the moment". It means that the individual who holds to that value set has no foundation. They have nothing to base their bedrock beliefs on, because it can shift or change from moment to moment, from situation to situation. "It all depends".

Baloney.

I have heard it said that "there are many paths up the mountain." I won't disagree with that. Sometimes, the methodology is variable in some things. There is more than one way to develop a project schedule. There is more than one way to swim. Some methods are more effective for one individual than for another. However, there must be something foundational....something unshakeable...something that anchors a person. There must be some absolutes in a person's belief and value system, from which all else is derived.

This, dear reader, is "integrity". Believing the same thing, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the situation, regardless of who is watching, or what they might say or think. There are some things where "right" is right, and "wrong" is wrong.

I know where my baseline is. I know what my bedrock foundation is. I know there is a right and wrong, and even though we, as a society, attempt to paint everything in shades of gray, that is not the way it's supposed to be.

Look at a child. Every psychologist in the world will tell you that if you do not give a child firm, fair and consistent boundaries, you will warp and damage their development, both intellectually and emotionally.

Are we any different as adults? If we try to live our lives as if there are no rules, no boundaries, no consequences for wrong actions, are we not simply continuing that warping and damage to ourselves? Of course we are. That's just plain common sense.

Just as we must have some absolutes imposed on us as children, so that we can feel secure and safe in our growth and development, we must also define and adhere to personal absolutes as adults and contributing members of society.

A ship without an anchor isn't safe...it's eventually wrecked on whatever rocks or shoals it is blown against.

I know where my anchor is. Where is yours? Do you have one?

my two cents for today.

--Larry Voorhees

Courtesy

2008-08-15T12:40:00.004-05:00

I have heard this described in any number of ways. One of my favorites is: "treating others better than you would like to be treated".

Courtesy, in its most basic form, boils down to "respect". Respect for an individual, respect for their personhood, respect for their God-given rights. Respect.

Is it possible to have respect for an individual, yet disagree with their position on a particular issue?
Absolutely. One of my dearest friends in the world is a woman in Minnesota, whom I will call "Anne". No need to use her real name. I've known Anne for years. We've worked together on many projects, and in many instances, she has been a coach and mentor to me, along with scores of other people. We have developed a deep and abiding friendship for each other.
However, Anne and I are diametrically opposed on some very basic, very core parts of our lives.
I am a Christian. Anne is an atheist.
I am quite conservative in my views. Anne is so far left, she's almost right.
I work for a living. Anne is a lawyer.
(OK, that was a cheap shot -- but if you can't tease a lawyer, what's the point in having one for a friend?)
And the two of us get along famously. Sure, we will occasionally disagree on stuff, like....oh, politics, for example. Well, then we simply agree to disagree. She states her point, and I simply nod, smile, and point out that it's okay for her to be wrong. And we laugh, and we still enjoy our friendship.
How is that possible? Because we have a great deal of respect for each other. Anne is one of the smartest people I know. She is a very accomplished speaker, she is a superb lawyer, and she's a fabulous manager of people and tasks. I respect her a great deal. And I can see from her interaction with me, that she respects me a great deal. It is a respect that is born of mutual admiration of those human qualities that we each possess that make us respectable. But even more, it is a simple concept that we both believe: Every person, in every place, at every time, is worthy of respect.

And to us, that is the basis of treating everyone with Courtesy.

Wouldn't that make things a whole lot easier in our everyday life?

Here's something for you to try out on your own. For one day, try holding doors open for people, letting someone in front of you in line at the checkout counter, smiling and saying "thank you, sir/ma'am" to the clerk that checked you out at the store. See what kind of looks you get from folks. See how much better you feel at the end of the day.

Our "life-tanks" were built so that there are two sets of hoses on them...the intake and the outflow. Our lives are like pools of water. If there's water coming in and going out, there is life in the pool of water, as it is constantly replenished and refreshed. If there is no inflow or outflow, the pool becomes stagnant, and life eventually dies. We are just like that. It is essential that we have people pouring their lives into us. But it is equally as essential that we pour our lives out into other people.

We were created to be creatures of community, and to serve one another. If we do not treat everyone with basic Courtesy, it is very difficult for us to be a part of that community.

Let me leave you today with this one last reminder: Everyone, at every time, and in every place, is worthy of respect. Courtesy.

and that's my two cents worth today.

--Larry Voorhees

The plot thickens...

2008-08-14T13:49:00.002-05:00

Hmmm. Seems like Mrs. C has been pushing to have her name placed in nomination at the Dem. convention. It will provide "catharsis", as she puts it.
Even CNN seems to understand how thinly veiled this is...
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/14/clinton/index.html

--Larry Voorhees

Heart of a Servant

2008-08-14T09:30:00.002-05:00

As a Taekwondo Instructor, I frequently have a talk with my black belts about "what it means to be a black belt".
We talk about how important it is for them to be living examples of the concepts of Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit. I remind them that, whether they want to be or not, they are and will always be leaders, because someone is always going to be watching them. I remind them that as Black Belts, we constantly lead "by example". People may not know our names, may not even care who we are, but as soon as they know that we're Black Belts, their mental image of what a "black belt" is will instantly be affected by what they see us do, what they hear us say, and how they see us interact with the people around us.
I sum this up to my Black Belt students by reminding them that the "heart of a Black Belt is the Heart of a Servant."
This "heart of a servant" attitude is sometimes hard to instill in people. In today's society, life is "all about me".
Sure, it's easy for us to look around us and complain. Gas prices are too high. Food prices are too high. Taxes...gosh, don't even get me started. :)
But rarely do we see people get up off the bench, step into the game, and try to make a difference.
I have a name for people like that. I call them "whiners". Whiners are the ones sitting on the sidelines, fussing. They're the ones that can find fault with just about anything and everything. But rarely, if ever, do they come up with alternatives. Rarely do they come up with a plan to do it differently.
Why is that?
I submit that it is because they have not learned that basic concept that I teach my Black Belts. They need to have the "heart of a servant".
It's easy to sit on the sidelines and take pot-shots. It doesn't take any investment of self. It doesn't take any real thought or energy.

As an International Referee for Taekwondo, there have been many, many times when I've been sitting on one of the corners in the ring, scoring handsets in my hands, working my tail off to do the best job I can at properly scoring a match, and some loud-mouthed wannabe in the stands is yelling at the referee team about how near-sighted we are, or how we obviously don't know the rules, or how our mothers didn't know our fathers, etc.
I always get a chuckle when some of those self-same individuals are given the opportunity to try to learn how to be referees, or learn how to score a match, or sometimes, even have the subtleties of the rules explained to them. Then, they tend to lose a lot of their bluster. They fuss loudly from the sidelines, but when given the opportunity to "make a difference", all their energy and bluster fades away.
I encourage my Black Belts to make a difference in their daily lives. No, we're obviously not going to get everyone on the face of the planet to come to our Taekwondo classes, so we can teach them about Courtesy and Integrity, and the rest of the 5 Tenets, but we can continue to have an impact on our world on a daily basis by remembering that we do lead by example, and we do have an obligation to live with the "heart of a servant".
If we see something that is wrong and it needs to be fixed, it is up to us to come up with a possible solution, and then do what we can to see that solution implemented.
Life is not a spectator sport. Those that have the ability to make a difference also have the obligation to make a difference. We simply are not permitted the luxury of sitting on the sidelines and being a part of the crowd.
When I told some of my friends and family that I was going to run for the Iowa House, a fair number of them looked at me like I was a few fries short of a Happy Meal.
When I told my Black Belts that I was going to run for the Iowa House, they may have thought I was crazy, but they also knew that I was living what I teach, and they all accept and understand that. They understand that I am still trying to teach them (and anyone else who will watch and learn the lesson) that "the heart of a Black Belt is the Heart of a Servant".
It is my desire to be a servant of the people in House District 68, and of the citizens of the State of Iowa.
My name is Larry Voorhees, and I am running for the Iowa House of Representatives.

--Larry Voorhees

Seems like I'm not the only one....

2008-08-13T15:25:00.002-05:00

..that thinks the Dems might want to keep an eye on Mrs. C at the convention.
Here's what the Communist News Network (aka, CNN) has to say about it:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/12/clinton/index.html

--Larry Voorhees

Speaking of Mrs. C...

2008-08-13T08:42:00.002-05:00

Had a wild, random thought last night (it happens).
This whole thing about John Edwards, and his affair, and it being "common knowledge" in the media, but it wasn't broken until the National Enquirer chased it to ground...

Who does this whole thing serve the most?

In my opinion, Mrs. C is best-served by this event, and the timing of it being "outed".
Walk with me on this for a minute, if you will.
Mrs. C has been quietly (or not-so-quietly) urging that individual delegates be permitted to cast their votes for whomever they chose at the upcoming convention. Sure, sure, she admits that Mr. O has more delegates than she does, but she wants to give her delegates some vindication or whatever.
Now, Mr. Edwards, when he bowed out of the race, "released" his delegates. They are free to vote for whomever. Then, after a period of time (and it looked like Mr. O would lock up the nomination), Mr. E throws his verbal support to Mr. O. But nowhere in that equation are Mr. E's delegates required to vote for Mr. O at the convention.
Now, Mr. O enthusiastically embraces Mr. E's endorsement. So much so that there is buzz that Mr. E might become the Veep nominee.
Mrs. C sees her chances at the limelight drifting further and further.
But wait! There is that little indiscretion on the part of Mr. E...and it hasn't broken to the public yet....
So, Mr. E's affair is outed, his star is tarnished, and he cannot become the Veep nominee, opening up the possibility, once again, that Mrs. C might be the Veep nominee.
Except, Mr. E's former delegates are disillusioned, now that their golden boy admits to lying in their faces consistently. And Mr. O's reputation for being able to pick people of substance and integrity is tarnished as well. Where will Mr. E's delegates, and any that are disaffected with this whole thing look?
To the long-suffering, martyr-in-a-box, Mrs. C, who will, at the last moment, broker and engineer a back-door, "gotcha" at the convention, thereby pushing Mr. O either into the Veep slot, or completely out of the picture.
You think I'm crazy? Remember, we are talking about the Clintons here. Am I giving Mrs. C too much credit for being smarter than everyone thinks she is? No, I think not.
You see, I'm not assuming that she came up with this. I'm assuming that her equally-rebuffed spousal unit, Slick Willy, came up with this stunt. He isn't quite the backwoods bumpkin we'd like to think he is. He's slick, he's twisted, and he wants what he wants when he wants it, and heaven help whomever gets in his way.
Plus, he's more than a bit peeved at people for not nominating his wife.
Bill doesn't want to be out of the limelight yet. He wants to be the first "first boy", because there's history in that, and he badly needs any historical reference that doesn't include the words "liar","slimeball", or "Monica" in the same sentence.

Just my two cents worth on a random thought from last night.

--Larry Voorhees

Unrepentant Republican

2008-08-12T16:21:00.002-05:00

I saw this quote from Mrs. Clinton in a news story today:

On Friday, Clinton seemed to agree. At an Obama rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, she said, "We had a hard-fought campaign, and it was exciting. It was a bit like the proverbial roller coaster, but we are now unified and ready to go forward together.
"And it is imperative that each and every one of us think about how we're going to help in this election," she said. "We are one party, we share one vision, and we believe as Democrats, as independents and repentant Republicans, in the progress we can make together!"

I started chuckling at the phrase "repentant Republicans". Spoken as if those poor, misguided people who previously have held conservative views were simply uneducated, or making poor choices, but thank the Mother Earth goddess, they have come back to their senses!

What arrogance. What cheek. What unmitigated gall. Mrs. C's statements imply that those of us that believe in the sanctity of life, the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman, the basic common sense of fiscal responsibility, the values of "our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain"...well, we're all simply misguided children who can't think for ourselves, and isn't it wonderful that some have seen the light, and repented from their evil, sinful, conservative ways, and are now stepping into the front ranks to support liberalism, in all it's wonder and glory.

Excuse me while I find a garbage can to yak into....

What is most humorous is that this person seems to actually believe the drivel she is spewing. What is sad is that some of my fellow citizens on this planet are actually falling for her siren song. She apparently believes that "the people" simply aren't bright enough to see beyond the whitewash and softsoap. She apparently believes that "the people" aren't smart enough to think for themselves.

I don't believe that. I believe that "the people" are endowed with that wonderful gift I refer to as "uncommon common sense". Too bad Mrs. C appears to have missed out on her daily dose.

My two cents worth.

--Larry Voorhees

Robbing Peter to pay Paul

2008-08-12T10:14:00.002-05:00

We have a budget set up for our household. X-number of dollars is set aside for paying the house payment, x-number of dollars is set aside for making the car payment, x-number of dollars is budgeted for food, clothing, gas, etc.
How responsible of me would it be to take, say, $100 from the mortgage payment, and decided to spend it on more food, or more gas, or on a fancy night out? Wouldn't that upset the delicate balance of our household budget?
I don't know about your household, but we simply can't afford to be that lackadaisical with our finances. I don't know of too many people that can.

Yet, there are those who think nothing of taking money that has been brought into the state coffers for one thing, and simply "re-assigning" it to something else.

To me, that smells of "bait-and-switch". I was told that this amount of my tax dollars was being collected for this particular budget item, but wait! Now it's being spent on something else!

Responsible? No, I don't think so.

But then again, doing what I tell people I'm going to do makes sense to me. How about you?

My two cents worth.

-Larry Voorhees

Welcome to Uncommon Common Sense

2008-08-11T16:35:00.002-05:00

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to this blog.

A word about the title...
It has been my observation in the past several years, that something my momma used to talk about (i.e., "common sense") appears to be sadly lacking today.
I see it in my workplace, I see it in the day-to-day operations of our city and state, and, unfortunately, I see it in a larger sense in our society in general.
Let me take just one item that, to me, is a no-brainer. The proposed Marriage Amendment to the Iowa Constitution.
I can find nowhere in history where "marriage" has been defined in any other way than as a union between one man and one woman. Yet we have those in our society today who would try to change that definition.
I would submit that if one were to study the history of previous civilizations, that within 100 years of the allowance/acceptance of non-standard unions, the family structure of those societies fractured, and, ultimately, those societies fell into ruin.
Personally, I don't care if a couple is same-sex. That's their issue, not mine. Do I agree with the lifestyle? No. Are they still God's children? Yes. But am I willing to allow their extremely minority lifestyle to dictate a change in the definition of what "marriage" is? Nope.
Hey, if they want to live together, call it whatever they want...civil union, joint tenantship, blissful whatever, but it isn't "marriage".
And if I am elected to the State House, that will be one issue that you can count on me being one of the people standing in the front rank.
To me, that's just plain common sense.
And my two cents worth...

--Larry Voorhees