Shade Tree Wisdom 8/20/09

When we first moved to our home, we were, for nearly a year, the last house on the street, so there was still lots of woods, much growth, and we often saw snakes, even copperheads and rattlers, sunning themselves and taking care of the mouse population. But we expected that and were careful. As late as several weeks ago a possum wandered through the back yard.

But now they’ve evidentially gone too far, and a neighborhood is asking for help to move some 500 egrets from their neighborhood. The egrets, a protected species, used to live on the big lake, but the Association built condos there and destroyed their turf, so the egrets moved. They built nests and are using area trees as nesting places, mostly on private lands. They have built about 30 nests in the trees, filled the ground with droppings, and dead fish abound. Now, here’s government at work, this is a direct quote, “The Association does not try to get involved in local issues”.

I am reporting this tidbit as a background to the next item, which is the health issue that is being hotly debated right now. Fortune magazine says the fight will be “big, brutal and ugly, the stakes are high. Let’s acknowledge right now that nobody will be fighting fair, shameless spin, half-truths, and out right lies will be coming from all sides.” How do you keep your head? Especially when one reads that very few, if any, congressman have even read all the pages of this bill.

When we remember the sad result so often with government programs that start out so promising, and end up in disaster. We recall so many reports of massive corruption in the Medicare program. Only 12% of all health care spending is out-of-pocket. Maybe if more were, we would be more careful in our entire spending.

But one thing is clear to me. Common sense and good manners have left the debate arena altogether, and that is truly a sad commentary on a public that is learning to look to Uncle Sam for everything. And seemingly have forgotten that it is, finally, the Lord who blesses.

Remember this:

“The heavens declare the glory of God
The skies proclaim the works of His hands.
Day after day they pour out speech,
Night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech, nor language, where their voice is not heard,
The ordinances of the Lord are sure, and righteous altogether.” Psalm 119. 1 ff.

GPD 8/20/09