Philosophy

It’s amazing that those in the clergy can go from the joyous occasion of a wedding to the truly sad event like a funeral in a day without going insane.  How do they keep from being cynical after going through so many huge ups and downs in such a short time?  We layman and woman can be tempted to lose faith after one or two major down turns yet they not only have to maintain faith for themselves but for their entire congregations after many such traumatic events.  The next time we go to Church, Shul, or Mosques maybe we should think about this and instead of expecting a hug from our clergy give them one in return.

We find it essential to teach our children about algebra and physics yet forget to teach them about the common values that unite us all.  These values are the glue that keeps a diverse society together and builds a nation but we assume that some how they can be gained through osmosis.  It’s time that we focus on the core and insure that those values are upheld and build on them. Here is how we can accomplish these goals.

(1) Let children continually study these values from pre-sch00l all the way to high school. You might start out with don’t lie and respect your body in pre-school to why illegal drugs hurt your body and cause you to lie in High School.

(2) Volunteering- It’s important that part that at least part of a school week is dedicated to helping others. It could be writing letters to veterans serving overseas or bringing good will to those in a nursing home or hospital.

(3) Discussing core values and the tradition behind them. It is important that students understand the various faith based communities that emphasis those values in their practices.

(4) Where students can get help when they find these core values challenged  whether it be through a broken home, inner city they live in or even through the media.

THE NEXT DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN SLOGAN

It’s not fair that only the wealthy people of Colorado get to enjoy this benefit while the poor people suffer (see link below). We understand their are side effects and all that stuff but don’t we all have a civil right to get high. This needs to be subsidized so that the poor people can enjoy the benefits of the wealthy. We believe they need to tax the wealthy users of this product so the poor people can truly enjoy the product as well.  Wait a minute how about those poor people who still can’t afford it we expect no demand that Medicaid and welfare will cover for the cost of this product.

Click to see the next civil rights battle

As we watch in agony over the plight the parents of Jahi McMath are going through as they fight to keep their “brain child” on a ventilator it points to mind the importance of having a  living will.  A will that allows our loved ones to insure that we carry out our request in our last moments here.  It is extremely difficult to right up such a statement especially if we’re healthy but can be more painful for our loved ones if we don’t.

I have chosen the “Guinea Pig” approach in my living will. I don’t want to be kept on a ventilator when all “standard medical procedures” have been exhausted but don’t want my loved ones to feel that they have “pulled the plug”. Therefore I have asked that if G-D forbid my loved ones are put in such a position that untried methods be tested on me, which would still allow me a proper Jewish Funeral.  These methods don’t necessarily need to be medical but can be spiritual based such as laying me in a river to see if G-D will allow the waters to heal me.  I believe if this techniques work then the world and of course I will be better off and if they don’t well at least we gave it one last try.  Most importantly this will insure that my loved ones are at peace knowing they fulfilled my wishes and tried their best to help me.

I pray that G-D miraculously  heals Jahi McMath but if the Lord decides to take her home may it be quick and painless, may her good memories and knowing she would be in a better place bring  some peace to the family during this extremely difficult time.

Throughout my life I have been the “inviter” the person who invites others to join them on special occasions (ex Superbowl Party, New Years Eve Party etc) but before anyone sheds any tears for me there are some advantages (see below).  I understand from my mother that others should reciprocate but I can’t wait on an invitation to have a good time. When it’s time to party, it’s time to party and I love to party with friends and family.

1)  As an inviter you get to decide what is served and although you might make many dishes for your invited guests there are some dishes that are just for you.

2)  All left-overs stay in your house for the next party if it’s just around the corner or for the dog if they aren’t that great.

3) Inviters have to worry what time to come and what time to leave while invitees get to decide what time they should come, leaving is a bit harder.

4) The music and entertainment for the party is basically decided by you with strong influences by those that attend.

5) You get to keep any dishes that are brought by guests and/or jackets left behind (well at least for the next day).

6) Inviters get to show their new home items to friends and family or the mess they have in the house.

(7) Clean up is always fun… (sorry benefits of invitee)

(8) Finally you don’t have to travel to the party and so far there aren’t any laws against drunken walking in your house.

P.S. Who left the whole in my wall?

Recently I worked with Meals on Wheels and was shocked to find out that if I didn’t volunteer many in my local community would end up hungry.  It was shocking to discover this because I come from a middle class community and these individuals were the most needy among us.  I wondered how can we spend 80 billions dollars a year on a program that doesn’t reach our ill and homebound citizens first. Where is our money going? How many bureacrats hands does our dollars have to pass through to truly get to those who are most needy?

  The truth is even if our national programs were perfect (which obviously they’re not) it is impossible for national programs to truly reach the local communities effectively. If we truly want to help out those less fortunate monies must be directed to Churches, Shuls and other “non-profits” that effectively reach those least among us.  Citizens direct donations do more to help out those groups then monies tied up in federal bureacracy and political deal making.  Many of us feel we don’t have time or monies  to help out with business and family responsibilities but if we gave a bit more then we truly could see a difference.  

In a person’s life they rarely have the opportunity to thank their parents and siblings for all that they’ve done for them. The tirelessly hours and monies that parents have expended appear something that can’t be truly compensated for.  The kindness and empathy that a sibling brings to you is also very difficult to compensate for.  Yet those in family businesses have the privilege of truly  demonstrating their gratitude and seeing it pay off.

When a son or daughter commits their time and effort to the family business they truly allow their parents an opportunity like no other.  Parents are able to lesson their burdens at work and therefore enjoy more vacation time. These parents also can move toward the tasks they truly enjoy at work knowing that they have a trusted partner who can handle the other responsibilities.   This of course includes siblings who also enjoy similar benefits from having others work in the family business. Finally G-D willing as the business grows siblings and children can see there parents enjoy the material success they have created. It can be quite challenging working in a family business where family members have different personality, unique goals but with hard work and respect the benefits can be priceless.