For Duffer: My thoughts on America

From an earlier post, Duffer asks of me the following:

I'm new around this forum, and I'm curious about your vision for our country. Economics, social issues, church/state relationship, your world-view.

It's your forum - if I'm going to hang around - and listen, I'd like to know the basis of your convictions."

Well...Duffer, I'm going to assume your handle is a reference to golf and tell you that for the most part I try to drive right down the middle of the fairway, but I sometimes have a fade to the right. Other times, (specifically The First and Second Amendments) I have a banana slice.

My vision for our country is one of optimism. I believe our current President has fallen significantly short of expectations. But, the country has survived bad presidents before. We are now in our 10th year of having less-than-quality executives in the White House. But I believe the Republic is safe. And I believe that America has demonstrated in the past that we are capable of recovery.

Economics: I'm not an economist. I don't believe, however, that we accomplish much by taking more money from those who risk their own wealth to create new wealth. There is little incentive for innovation and growth when there is little reward. Higher taxes, outrageous deficits and mortgaging our children's and grandchildren's futures simply does not make any sense to me. I believe less government is best government and so little has been accomplished when government creates bureaucracies to help us or protect us.

I usually keep my opinions on "social issues" to myself. Briefly, I believe the following:

1. Education is the best investment a country can make in its future.
2. I do not care what people do in the privacy of their bedroom as long as innocent people are not harmed.
3. I believe a woman is in charge of her own body and until I have a womb and the ability to become pregnant, I have no dog in this fight.
4. I believe a helping hand is better than a handout.
5. I believe Americans are the most generous people on earth and always willing to lend a helping hand.

Church/State Relationship: I am an unabashed supporter of the First Amendment, and I take it literally. The government has no business in anyone's religion. And, no religion has any business in government. The founders were at their very best when they drafted and ratified The Bill of Rights.

My personal relationship with my God, is just that – personal. I will tell you that I do have a relationship with my God, and beyond that it's nobody's business. But I will tell you that if I didn't have such a relationship...it's still nobody's business...especially the government's.

World view: The U.S. finds itself in the unique position of being the world's police department. I'm not fond of the role, but understand it's necessity, for our own safety.

Finally, I think the United States is at its best when its citizens are united. And, I believe that the only way that can happen is through the compromise required to find our path...down the middle of the fairway.

Duffer: We are glad you have come around and we welcome your thoughts. There are some topics that are short-lived here. We will talk about anything here. We are cautious about the radical left and the radical right. Do not expect to see a lot of posts here about incendiary topics upon which the two sides simply repeat their arguments and there is no middle ground to be found.