Interesting and Sad

The last 20 minutes of the first hour, of the Rush Limbaugh show today was very interesting. Here were the topics:

1) Rush read a study, and I can't remember the name...sorry I was in my car and couldn't write it down. Anyway, the conclusion was that there is no amount of taxation in our current tax structure that could be implemented that would allow us to pay down the debt, unless we balance the budget.

Jake's Question - what will Obama and crew do? Since we know they can't stop themselves from spending, I'm guessing they are going to invent new ways to tax the rich (see #2).

2) Rush cited a report, and the report said that 47% of the population now pays no federal income taxes.

Jake's Analysis - That's kinda scary. That means that 47% of the population really doesn't care about any of the financial issues facing our country, because they have no stake in it. These people are the people who vote for the Democrats who promise to raise taxes on the rich and give them more tax breaks. Logically, as we go forward, the amount a rich person makes will have to steadily decrease to support the rising population that doesn't pay taxes. Right now, the number Obama uses is $250,000, but pretty soon it'll be $200,000, then $150,000, and before you know it, if you pay taxes, you will be considered rich.

3) A caller from Pennsylvania talked about his situation. He is unemployed, his wife works part time as a nurse. They made $33,000 last year, and paid $900 in federal taxes. They made some money in real estate several years ago, and own their home outright, Because of this, they are able to live comfortably on his wife's income, plus what he receives from unemployment. When he filed his tax return, using the online tools the IRS recommends, he found out he was getting $2300 back from the federal government. This man received unemployment all year, and then, for all his hard work, the government gave him a $1400 year end bonus.

Jake's Analysis - Ridiculous! Our tax code was written by idiots. Scrap the income tax and go to a National Sales Tax.

4) During the ABC news break at the top of the hour, they were talking about Obama and Russia's Medvedev signing the new nuclear agreement promising the reduction of nuclear stockpiles. While running the news story, patriotic symphony music played in the background. Does anybody remember that happening when George W. Bush reduced nuclear stockpiles in an agreement with Russia during his administration? Does anybody even know that Bush reduced nuclear stockpiles?

Jake's Analysis - What media bias?

Happy Easter!

He is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia! Happy Easter everyone.

As a Christian, this is the holiest day of the year. Jesus Christ conquered death! It doesn't get any bigger than that. For our family, it actually started last night. We went to the Easter Vigil at our parish. Mass started at 8:30 pm and got over after 11 pm. Yes, it's long, but it's worth it. If you've never been to a Catholic Easter Vigil, you need to go at least once in your life. Even non-Catholics should go. It's quite the holy experience. We find it so uplifting that we took our 2 boys (who's normal bedtime is 8 pm) and went, and we don't regret it today, despite the fact that Nicholas woke up before 7 am.

Anyway, I pray this day finds you in celebration with family and friends. We should celebrate this day above all others. Alleluia indeed!

Family Fun Night

Last weekend, I went to my 5th Catholic Men's Conference. Our diocese has offered a Men's Conference for the last 14 years, and I've attended the last 5. Every year, I have a great experience. This year, the keynote speaker was Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. Deacon Harold brought a very challenging message to the conference this year. One of his challenges was to institute a family fun night once per week.

As I thought about that challenge, I thought about how often our family lets those opportunities go by, and usually I'm to blame. I'm too tired after a full day of work, or there's something on TV I want to watch...never good excuses, but I make them. So, I decided, with the blessing of my family, to institute a once per week family fun night. Hopefully we can, and will, do this more often than once per week, but that was the goal we set. You'd be amazed between work and activities how difficult it is to find one night in the week when nothing is going on.

Tonight was our first official family fun night. There are very few rules. Everyone gets a chance to pick a night's activity, and we'll rotate that. Whatever that person picks is what we do...provided the parents don't decide there are safety risks or it costs too much. We went by height for who gets to pick the activity, so Nicholas was up tonight. Since it's 80 degrees here, Nicholas picked a bike ride to the local ice cream drive thru for ice cream cones. We had a nice ride, and a good time eating ice cream. On our way home, we took a scenic ride, and ended up at a park for a little bit before heading home.

We had a really nice time together, and I can honestly say that I'm really looking forward to what David picks next week. I'm also already forming plans for my turn to pick, which comes up in 3 weeks.

Now, a challenge. I challenge all families who aren't already doing this, to institute something similar. As Deacon Harold said, your kids aren't going to remember that you gave them a great education, plenty of food to eat, or nice clothes to wear. Your kids are going to remember your back as you walk out the door! His message...spend time with your kids, that's the best thing you can give them.

Oh, Happiness

This is a song that I heard on a local Christian radio station the other day. It's called "Oh, Happiness" by the David Crowder Band. At first I thought this was really cheesy. But, yesterday, it was on while we were driving, and my 9 year old wanted to listen to it...it's been stuck in my head ever since. Not only is it catchy, but it's got a nice, not overly complex, message. "There is grace enough for us, and the whole human race." Enjoy!

Book Review: The Sea of Trolls

Ok, I didn't actually read, "The Sea of Trolls" by Nancy Farmer, I listened to it on CD. Last weekend, I drove to South Dakota on my own, as my family had already headed up there. To pass the time, I listened to "The Sea of Trolls", and I'm glad I listened to it rather than read it.

"The Sea of Trolls" is set in 793 AD, and primarily follows 12 year old Jack, who is apprenticed to a local bard. In this world, Bards use magical powers to tell their stories, and for other purposes as well. Just as Jack is starting to get the hang of some of his new abilities, he and his sister Lucy are captured by Berserkers. This sets them on a journey across the sea to a strange land, and eventually leads Jack to the land of the trolls.

Like I said, I'm glad I listened to this book rather than read it. This book is very slow paced, and filled with high levels of detail. I think it would have been a difficult read, but it was a good listen. The reader did voices for every major character and kept it interesting. The idea of the story is quite good, and I do think I will listen to the other 2 books in the series. If they have the level of detail and relative lack of action as this one, I think it would be difficult to read those as well.

So, if you are looking for a book to listen to while you drive, "The Sea of Trolls" is a good choice.

The Ups and Downs of a Division 1 Sports Fan

If you've read this blog enough, you know that while I live in Iowa, I am a South Dakotan by birth, and I attended South Dakota State University. I still love my Alma mater and I follow their sports teams, though primarily I follow football and basketball (both men's and women's).

In 2004, South Dakota State transitioned to Division I Athletics, meaning they would now compete against the big schools. They completed their 5 year transition in 2009 and have done very well. The football team is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and made the playoffs this past year. As members of the Summit League for all sports, except football and wrestling, they have been competitive. In Women's Basketball, they have been downright dominant, winning 2 regular season championships and 2 conference tournament championships. In fact, the women's team has made the NCAA tournament the last 2 years.

Lots of ups there, but there have been some downs too, primarily with basketball. When I attended SDSU, both the men's and women's basketball teams were top notch Division II programs. The men's team made the playoffs every year, making it as far as the Final Four one year. The women's team won the National Championship in 2003, though that was after my time. When they jumped to Division I, a dose of reality hit. The men's team was terrible, and is still struggling. They finished 14-16 this season, their best record in Division I. While the women's team has done well, they have fallen in the NCAA Tournament each of the last 2 years to bigger and quicker teams from the Big 12 Conference (considered 1 of the 6 power conferences).

That's the reality for schools like SDSU, which are considered mid-major programs. A good year in basketball is winning the conference and getting to the NCAA Tournament. As a fan, I no longer have expectations, or really hope of winning a National Championship. It's a different feeling for me. I love the excitement that comes with the increased coverage and higher caliber athletes, but I miss the thoughts of winning it all.

Overall though, I think there are more ups than downs. For example, the Jackrabbits football team plays the University of Northern Iowa every other year. That schools is within 1 hour of my house, so I'll have the opportunity to go to games. The women's basketball team got a top 100 recruit for next year's freshman class, and the men's basketball team signed 2 top Iowa high school players from the same school, so built-in teamwork there. All good things I think. So, with recalibrated expectations, I'm ready to go as a fan of a Division I school.

A Great Example

Last weekend, the family and I were in the great state of South Dakota. We went there to celebrate my wife's parents 35th anniversary. To mark this special occasion, they chose to renew their wedding vows with family and friends in attendance. It was a great day.

At the reception afterward, the smartest member of my family got up and gave a toast to her parents. In it, she thanked them for the great example they have set for us in our marriage. We've made it 10 years so far. This got me thinking about how lucky we are as a married couple. My parents will celebrate their 36th anniversary later this year, and my wife's parent just celebrated their 35th. In a society where divorce rates approach 50%, that's pretty remarkable.

This also got me thinking about what that example has been. I think what I've seen from both our parents is an enduring love...not a "mushy, oh I'm so happy" type of love, but the kind that gets you through the ups and downs of life together. It's the kind of servant love that Jesus taught us about. I've also learned that marriage isn't a 50-50 deal. There are times when one spouse gives 100% and the other can't give much at all. That's where being willing to serve out of love is most important.

In my own parents marriage, I know it hasn't always been rosy. But through it all, my mom and dad stick together and work through the bad times together and enjoy the good times together. I've seen many of the same qualities in my wife's parents over the past 10 years. I hope that my wife and I are following these examples in our own marriage. I know I'm not the easiest person to put up with, so I'm sure she's following these examples every day.

This past weekend was great, but the best part is that now that I realize this, I will be forever grateful to the loving parents who have set these great examples for my wife and I.