Philosophy

It is not some economic policy from Washington D.C. that opens the door to growth but the inventor who opens the world to their invention. Of course policies in Washington that interfere or make it more difficult for such an inventor such as regulations, bureaucracy and such make it more difficult to get started but even in the worst of times  a few of these tinkers can find a way to escape these closed doors.  If only we just make sure that door is unlocked and get out of their way we will see many great inventors step forward with products that open up new jobs and opportunities to the masses and we all will playing with a better mouse trap (except the mouse)

Is it harder to be friends with a saint then a sinner? For a saint will showcase all your faults whether they mean to or not while the sinner will make you feel like an angel. Yet as humans we should always strive to be better so having that angel by your side might help you move in that direction as long as you won’t be burned looking in the mirror.

Where is society going when basic respect and fear of peace officers goes down the drain? Let’s be clear there is a minority of police officers who do abuse their power but that is the minority. We of course must remove and punish officers that due abuse their authority but we must also discount voices that call for disrespecting those in law enforcement.  If society doesn’t learn to respect the police then we truly don’t respect peace in our communities.

It is not the experiences that we go through that makes us who we are but how we deal with those experiences that count.  For many have had to bare many burdens but come out as a saint and then their are those that let one experience turn them into the devil.  The ability to deal with those experiences comes from two major elements in a character faith and self esteem. Understanding that your accomplishments and suffering are put in a place for a higher purpose helps one to deal with both properly. Having the inner confidence to lift your self from a difficult experience is something that can be brought on by both your inner core and your outer contacts.  Family and Friends help to build and strengthen these key characteristics in an individual. Therefore even if you don’t have those abilities naturally inside the ones your with can help build them so your wall will not crumble when difficulty arises.

As Bernard Kerik NYC former Police Commissioner has said in his recent book “From Jailer to Jailed” it’s time to reform the criminal justice system so it saves $’s and save life’s.  Long Term jail sentences over 5 years should be reserved for the worst of the worst (murders, rapist, arsonists etc) while most would receive a punishment based on their total life experience, the cost & benefit to society for their punishment, ability to reform, and of course punishment fit for crime.  Most prisons could be replaced with basic tents with boot camps where those sentenced for their crimes would have to build character for their shorter service and the savings could go into training for the real world (including civic responsibility, technical training, GED diplomas, drug treatment, psychological counseling, and parental training). Of course once they served their sentence they would still have to pay back society with a fine to those they harmed and society as a whole taken from their paycheck. Yet within years they could return to be a normal citizens if they don’t break their probation and even have their felony reduced to a misdemeanor if they keep up their good behavior.  As we cut back on prison expenses we save money, bring families back together, punish the wrong doer and truly saves life’s across the board.

As I started reading Bernard Kerik’s book from “Jailer to Jailed” it dawned on me how blind justice has kept looking in my lifetime.  There have been so many people sent up the river not for what they did but who they were.  What I’m saying is if you had taken the same criminal activity with a different individual they would have received a tap on the wrist or even walked away but because this individual was “political incorrect” their punishment didn’t meet the crime.  I’m concerned that the DA’s office might be more concerned with getting a celebrity behind bars then to see that justice is truly served.  Whether it be Bernard Kerik, Leona Helmsley, Martha Stewart or even Ray Donovan (what department do I go to get my name back) it’s time that lady justice becomes blind again.  It’s time that justice not try to set an example for the rest of us but be just to all of us.

As I spent some time with loved ones this weekend one of them mentioned to me how they tried to avoid politics & religion for the conflicts they bring. It’s funny how I see the world the opposite way. For most successful charities have faith as their guiding force. Faith helps many people over come difficult experiences, reach for the stars and yet keep their head looking up for the true creator.  While politics used correctly is the force that can help fix those ills that fall between the cracks of charity and family.  Politics also can bet the force that helps insures that we all have that chance to shoot for the stars. Therefore although there might be contention if one is truly to have an impact in society politics and faith must play a role in their life as well.

Sometimes it’s best not to fix. For a small break adds character where everything appears “too perfect”. It allows us to remember that there is always work to be done whenever we might feel complacent. A break can let us look through and see things in a whole new light as well. Cracks  that  appear to be closed  can also build  up pressure over time  and  explode  leaving a more dangerous crack in the  first place. We must not allow the break to continue to grow but closing it completely may close  who we are as  well.

If my grandfather didn’t leave alone from Poland before WWII this page would probably have been blank.  For I would probably have been another victim of the Holocaust. My lovely family would have never existed as well.  Yet I wonder if I would have been so bold to leave it all behind and go to another country with only the shirt on my back. This was a true act of guts but I guess when you feel like there’s nothing to lose it’s easier to leave it behind. Yet what happens when you have some of the comforts and material success but you know there’s something more you need to accomplish beyond this town or city would you be so brave to make this step?  Leaving it’s not just about timing but the guts behind such a move.