Looking Back at America

I have decided to create some posts concerning the history of America. Working from the Constitution to the Bill of Rights to some ammendments which are of great interest. Reading good history books and the writings of the framers of our Constitution and other founders has really enlightened me. Sure I've learned a lot during my schooling, but I've learned much more since then through my own research and friends who also desire true understanding of our founding principles. Therefore, I thought this might be a nice way to review it and possibly share it with others. Check out http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html for some nice reading. More to come.

Gas Prices

Yes, gasoline prices are high. Yes, it requires a budget adjustment. Why is this the case? What can be done about it?

Inflation is always an applicable reason. In the past, petroleum cost has increased at a rate less than that of inflation. This is part of a natural adjustment. How about the "gas tax"? Obviously taxes (in one form or another) are necessary to fund government activities. This tax gives the government approximately 18% of the price you pay at the pump. The oil companies only see about 5% as profit. Who's doing the work and who's making the profit?

So you want a solution, eh? Remove all of the rediculous red-tape and allow our petro companies to drill the wells on our soil. Our nation holds the second largest reserve known. As soon as these companies begin preparations, the foreign companies will drop their prices just to keep the business coming. Lest we forget the laws of supply and demand.

So stop complaining. Contact your goverment officials and request that they make some changes to allow this nation to be competative in the petroleum market and reduce our dependence on foreign oil sources. Go forth.

My Logical Nature

Being logical is a great asset. At least I believe it is. It assists me with doing my job. It helps me explain my values. Logic is a great asset in most discussions. However, being the only non-Christian in my family . . . using logic creates a very interesting religious conversation.

Obviously religion is based on faith. Interestingly, there are plenty of books using logical scientific arguments to support the faith. There is nothing wrong with that. Some people need that. Some people use it as a tool to persuade nonbelievers. I have nothing against that. Logic is a tool . . . use it.

Recently, my family (myself included) was having a religious discussion. My brother, also being very logical, was discussing the Big Bang theory (BBT). The proof does not exist for the Big Bang theory. The proof also does not exist for God. So, it was a good discussion.

It seems that many (not so much the case with my family) feel that if you give any credit to the evidence for the BBT, then you are being foolhardy. Obviously, the same could be said about religion. "Ahhhhh . . . but it's about faith." I guess that faith means that you are no longer foolhardy.

No, I am not calling those with faith foolhardy; just pointing out the flaw in the argument. In fact, I make it a point in every religious discussion I have to note that I do not discourage anyone for having faith in a religious system which teaches positive values. It's only logical to promote (or at least not demote) any method for teaching good morals to ourselves and fellow humankind.