A NATION IN DECLINE: I have thought of this post for a long time now.  I could have titled it Are we in a nation in decline?  or made it a statement We are a nation in decline.  I chose the title that I listed for a reason.  I just don't know what that reason is.  Maybe by the time this post is through we can tell. Having said all that, I do believe we are a nation in decline.  Why do I believe this.  Well, let's view a few things that I am aware of.  Since I didn't do a lot of research, I don't have exact dates or sometimes even exact events.  Just an opinion of things.
So, when did this decline start?  On November 6, 2012, when Barack Obama was reelected?  In November 2008 when Obama was elected the first time.  Many will say so.  Many more will say not.  So, what do I say?  Well, I say it started a long time prior to either of these events.  If there are any reading this blog, who may be unfamiliar with me,  view my status.  But if you don't want to, I will state this much.  I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, AKA  The Mormon Church.  I am a republican who is not ashamed to vote for a Democrat if I feel the Democrat is the better candidate.  Having said that, I have a deep seated belief in the tenets of the LDS doctrine.  We are told that any people that inhabits this continent, who does not follow and obey the commandments of God and Jesus Christ, will be destroyed.  And we have a Book of Mormon that documents that happening to past inhabitants of this continent.  So, why are we in decline now?  Yes Why?  It is not because of the recent election.  It is because of the actions of the people.  When did it start?  Don't know, exactly.
But, in my 71 years on this rock, I have seen some disturbing things.  Movies used to be entertaining.  Now they are violent and lewd.  Things like this were not in the movies when I was growing up.  Then the movie rating system came into being, and filthy language and nudity and sexual things were put into movies and then rated.  Gradually, over the years, many things that was in Mature movies ( that was the original rating ) now R rated are slipping into Pg-13 movies.  Much of this same content is now in mainstream music. People are "Living together without the benefit of marriage and same sex couples want to be married" and the media and TV programs are saying that's OK.  It is the new norm. William Clinton, A past U.S. President was involved in sex affairs with women not his wife.  And the congress couldn't get enough votes to impeach him. And the people let him get away with it.    And now he is an often requested public speaker.  Politicians can't seem to pass a budget to run this government, but don't seem to have any trouble appropriating funds that will benefit them.  Greed, Sex, Violence, Filthy Language, all accepted in the public square, as it were.  Same sex couples now are all over the media and the media and public officials are telling us that it is OK.  That it is the new norm.  
Many will say that the election, or reelection of Barack Obama will bring the downfall of this nation.  I say it will not.  It is the actions of the populace and the acceptance of things that are of the evil side, that will bring down this nation. It is the lowering of values of the populace that will destroy this nation as we who are older know it that will bring down this nation.  Now, I am going to get a little political.  Kinda. With Mitt Romney running for President, the LDS Church has been exposed to the public view as never before.  Missionary's will undoubtably get into homes that would have been denied them prior to this election.  The Church has received a lot of press and made people curious enough to investigate it and possibly join.  If Mitt Romney had been elected, the resulting budget cuts and the many things he would have had to do to bring the budget into balance would have caused a backlash against him and the church as a result.  With the Reelection of Obama, there will still be a backlash, eventually, I think.  But it will come in a different form, when taxes are raised and more jobs lost as a result.  I also fear the health care law in full.  There are many good things in this law. But when the full effect takes place in 2014, I fear that it will cause chaos.
I will stop here with the political statements, cause this is not about politics, but about my opinion of why this nation is in decline. It is about the people, and what we are willing to put up with.  There are a lot of people with high values still in this country, but those values are slowly being wore away, and more and more that is bad is being accepted.  And that is why we are in decline.   AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK. 




  

The Storms We endure

STORMS: what too you is a storm?  What do you think of when you hear the word storm?  This country is going through a series of storms right now.  Political storms. Natural storms. And every where people have their own storms.  Just the normal storms of life that we all go through from time to time.  Some of those storms we have control of.  Namely the storms of life.  Some come to us in spite of what we do, others are self inflicted.  By the things we do.  Yesterday we attended the funeral of a friend who had passed away after a 2 1/2 year battle with cancer.  The storm that has come to her husband and family was not of their chosing, but they will deal with it.
Earlier this week hurricane Sandy devastated the east coast.  Again, a storm that the people affected had no control over.  They did have some control over how they reacted to it, but for the most part, they just had to wait and see what happened.  And they waited and didn't like what happened.  Now, the storm they face is very devastating in many cases.  But for the most part, they will survive and move on.
But what about the political storm we are all involved in.  Well, we will survive that also, some in better fashion than others.  And now I will create a tiny storm by voicing my opinion of some of the things going on in these political happenings.
Did you watch the Presidential debates?  Or the Vice Presidential debate? I watched the presidential debates.  I tried to watch the vice presidential debate, but just couoldn't put up with the theatrics of bobble head, uh Biden.  With his rolling of the eyes and the throwing up of the hands, I just got so disgusted that I turned off the TV and went to bed and read a book.  Prior to going  to sleep.  Can you imagine him as President, should circumstances come about that opens that door.  Shudder.
And the race for President.  I have just a couple of comments to make here. Or three or four.  President Obama said in the last debate, and I quote,  "I have kept every promise I made.  And the ones I didn't keep, it wasn't cause I didn't try."  Uh, well did you keep them all or not.  Apparently not.  Apparently he isn't sure.  Just a couple or three more comments.  He has blamed all his problems on George Bush.  George Bush authorized the first bailout check that Obama has taken credit for.  George Bush had a withdrawal plan to bring the troops home from Iraq.  Obama just executed it.  George Bush had in place the operation to find and eliminate Bin Laden.  The actual act just happened under Obama's watch.  He promised to cut the national debt from 10 trillion to 5 trillion.  It is now over 16 trillion. He promised jobs.  Not happening. He shut down the space program and turned it over to Russia.Eliminating a lot of American jobs.  If he wants to blame Bush, then credit Bush for the things he had in place when he, Obama took office.  And Bush made his mistakes, and Romney will make his if elected.  They all have.  They all will.  But I will make this final comment on the Presidential race.  Ann Romney was on the TV show "The View".  I think that is the one.  And Whoopie Goldberg ask her how Romney could comfort families of returning military personel who have been killed in battle.  Since Romney never was in the military.  Why wasn't it mentioned that Obama never was in the military either?  And considering the positions of leadership that Romney has held in his church, I would imagine he has a lot more experience to comfort those who are bereaved than Obama ever had or will have.  I could say a lot more, but will stop the storm with that.
Now to some local races.  There are so many storms being generated on the State and local scene that I wonder why the weather is so clear and warm.  And why the wind we have is so cool and not hot.  And so many twisted truths and out right lies being told on both sides of the aisle, as it were, that I will be ever so glad when next Wednesday arrives.
However, even with all this being said.  this is still the greatest nation on earth, and I would not voluntarily move to some other country.  I will put up with the non sense and hope that what ever happens, my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren will have as good a country to live in as I have had.    And THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK.