The Digital Divide: A Case for The Disenfranchised

I was doing some research today about why I'm having so much difficulty in finding work. I tried over the past almost nine years to find something that I could do. I found writing to be one avenue to pursue with some limited success. I also found a bunch of resources that left me feeling a bit overwhelmed. I wasn't sure what to pursue where I would have any chance of getting a decent steady job. I, like some of my contemporaries have become what some would coin as disenfranchised. We had the experience, but it wasn't in technology. We wanted to learn, but some of us were barred due to lack of resources.

I discovered it wasn't just me that was experiencing this disenfranchisement. Many older people are experiencing it as well. For some of us it is the digital divide that has rendered us obsolete and useless. The fact is that although many in our generation embrace some of the newer technology, we can't embrace it all. We see what's currently happening with everything going online, and it deeply disturbs us. This past few months should have opened people's eyes to the fact that too much is now being put online barring those who don't have internet access to normal lives.

I realized that it isn't just the older folks that are feeling the effects of this rapid shift into the digital age. There are actually a whole segment of society that has been barred from conducting normal transactions. The push is for automated servers (no worries about infection there), automatic payment (no risk of handling cash) and online shopping (no brick and mortar stores). We've all seen the barring of monetary transactions through onsite branches. Some banks even went so far as to deny people the ability to access their accounts physically. Even now some of these same banks, and those who have opened up are continuing to press people to sign up for electronic payments. It sounds "fishy" to me. It also doesn't seem right to me. Just because someone doesn't have a smartphone or mobile device, doesn't mean that they can't get money out of their account.

Forming a More Perfect Union in A Imperfect World

I took last week off from the computer. I reflected on the past three months and how the world has changed. I also set some goals for myself. When I came back online yesterday I was unpleasantly hit with the chaos that is happening all over the country. Seattle is a war zone with a new country (so they say) set up over six city blocks. In Philadelphia we have the makings of another new country (so they say) set up over on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. I could be frightened right now about what's happening, but surprisingly I'm not.

I believe that this is all part of God's plan. He's allowing people to wallow in their own filth and create their own destruction. God said there would be consequences for wicked and perverse actions. We are seeing the results of many government officials' wicked and perverse actions. I get that some are really scared and intimidated by the mob. Yet it was only a month or so ago that the mayor and city council made some really stupid moves in regards to the police and broke laws that have been on the books for a very long time. I admittedly am very reluctant to even take a chance at going to work downtown anymore. It has become a very dangerous place.

It got me thinking too. How do we form a more perfect union in this imperfect world? Is what the founders of the United States of America said about this country even possible anymore? I've tried to make sense of what's happening, but none of it makes any sense at all. We are not really united in what we believe anymore. Our ideology has been skewered until we don't have a clue what's right or wrong. My personal research into the time of the last great pandemic is telling in that there was no anarchy or riots in the streets during that time period. In fact there was some tremendous growth, which seems strange when you look at the newspaper reports of that time period. People were dying by the thousands of the Spanish Flu. There was restrictions like the masks, but people were unified in their beliefs. They had a stronger and more solid belief in God. They believed that church was a place where people could go to be with God and learn more about him. They had a strong moral code that was able to resist the changes that were taking place back then. They believed in the United States of America. They were ready to form that more perfect union in their imperfect world.

Yes, I have to believe that God still has his hands on us. He is preparing his children right now for the coming battle. I have to believe that he will use us as he is using our President to bring the full called ones home. 

Feeling Overwhelmed and Out of Touch

Today I resolved to stop wallowing, and do something about my current situation. I figured that by taking some action I might be able to see what direction I should go. Unfortunately with the rapid changes that have happened over the past three months, I'm feeling overwhelmed and out of touch. I could basically give it all up, and start trying to apply for welfare again. I've gone that route, but was kicked off after I didn't fill out the form correctly. I have been fortunate though because God has provided for me.

I know that I do have to start moving to find at least one income stream. I also know that I have to stop being so resistant to the changes that are happening. It isn't easy. I don't like having to depend on the Internet to do everything. I don't like having to use electronic means to get things I need. It is frustrating. Yet I do want to learn to do something that will make me some money. I don't want to have to depend on the government for my sustenance.

The problem is that I'm having some difficulties deciding what free courses I should take. There are so many! I know I need some training in order to gain employment, but not sure what type of training I need. It is almost like being in a library and having to choose a favorite book. I miss the library, and the excitement of finding that perfect book.

There is going to be a lot to get used to once the libraries are open again. I fear that I probably won't be able to sit for an hour or more and read like I used to do. I fear that the books that I want to do research on will be gone. The transformation of libraries as community centers will be complete with no physical books...sigh.

I am feeling out of touch with these new digital offerings. I hate the push that some companies are taking to get everyone on line, and using electronic means of payment. I guess hate is too strong a word. Yet I resent that some companies are going out of their way not to accept physical currency. They are even encouraging kids to pick up the bad habits of their parents by using cards for purchases.

I am overwhelmed by the deterioration of our major cities, seemingly overnight as riots break out. I don't understand it, but I pray for those who are defending us against the thugs. I do wish that things would go back to where they were back in February. It is a foolish dream. Things won't be back to that normal for a very long time. My mind does have a hard time accepting this. I do tend to "shut down" when things start going "south."

Letting Go of Bitterness and Anger

I watched the videos I made yesterday at my hometown's Memorial Day ceremony. I heard myself speaking some bitter words. I wasn't listening to the speakers. Frankly they were ticking me off. I am thankful that I didn't put it out there publicly. It wouldn't have been helpful to anyone. It may have hurt. It is good that they still had the ceremony that honored the dead.

Letting go of bitterness and anger isn't easy. When I contemplate the carnage that our governor and other democratic governors have done, I can't help getting angry. The bitterness comes in when I feel helpless to do anything about it. I know that it is detrimental to my health to let anger and bitterness rule me.

I understand that God is in control. It is the only thing that keeps me going. I can function when I know that he will work all things out for my good. I can stop stressing over what's happening.

Letting go of bitterness and anger is necessary. It doesn't serve any purpose.

I resolve to hand over my fears for tomorrow to the One who holds all tomorrows in his hands. I will let God reign in my heart and mind. I won't try to control my destiny, but put my destiny in his hands. He will guide me and save me.

Letting go of bitterness and anger frees me to love others. The release of bitterness and anger creates a void that can be filled with God's love. I know that I can't let go when I do it under my own power and strength. There has to be someone to help me let go.

I can't rely on my own devices. I have to rely on God. It is the only way to true peace and happiness.

Letting go of bitterness and anger shows others that you are a child of God. They want what you have, because it shows on your face. You can't hide the happiness that flows out of you. It is also like a weight being lifted.

I praise God for releasing me from bitterness and anger. I can move forward in his perfect plan. I cherish the lessons that I am learning.

Letting go of bitterness and anger honors God. It tells him that you trust him with your life. You are letting him control you and bring you joy.

I love you, Lord. You fill my heart with gladness. You free my soul to soar over the heavens. How marvelous are the works of your hands! I see them new every morning.

Standing Up For Freedom: Fighting Against Tyranny

I really never thought I'd be in this position. By nature I am an introvert, and used to be very shy. It has only been fairly recently that I've been thrust into a position where I need to be more extroverted. There is a reason for the change in my personality. I think we all go through it at one time or another in our lifetime. For some of us that change comes on suddenly. We don't understand it. We sometimes wish it didn't happen, yet we can't go back.

Standing up for freedom is hard. Everyone tells you that you are crazy to "buck" what's happening. You should be grateful for the "free" money and that the government wants to control every aspect of your life. You should welcome the surveillance and tracing that they are planning to do. You should embrace the mandatory vaccine. Governors know what's best....Not!

Yes, I am nervous about the stand I'm taking. It isn't easy to fight against tyranny in any form. They use soft words, telling us it is for our own good. They tell us that they know what's best for us. They don't. I am glad that some are waking up to the fact that the power hungry Democratic governors are causing their states' economy to crash. It is not President Trump's fault, as much as they like to put the blame on him.

The fight may be bloody soon. I shudder to think this, yet some have said that freedom doesn't come without cost. I am reminded of the many men and women who fought to preserve our freedom. I imagine that they are rolling in the graves at the sight that their states have given up their freedom for safety. The fear mongers are in full force. They would have us trembling in our houses waiting to die. I often wonder how this time period will be recorded. Will the lessons we learned about the corruption be front and center? I'd like to think that we will be victorious over the socialistic Congress, and defeat their evil schemes to completely bankrupt the country so they can bring in their new world order.

Don't get me wrong. There are some good things about globalization. It has brought the world closer together. Globalization though is an enemy to freedom and an encouraging force for tyrannical governments. The problem is that everything is so meshed together that it is easy to forget that you are not part of an global entity. Globalization steals identity and exasperates poverty.

It is Obama's legacy that is now coming to haunt us. He encouraged the lessening of American pride and created a well of disbelief that knocked the country to its collective knees. People got used to the free cell phones and other goodies that they didn't have to pay for or work for at all. They didn't realize that they were selling their souls to the government.

This fight against tyranny won't be easy. Many are disillusioned by the promise of free money for life. They don't realize the terrible cost they will pay for it.

Rays of Hope in the Midst of a Great Darkness

I recently had a vision of the future that made me want to cry happy tears. In this season where we dwell in great darkness, it is nice to turn our focus on those rays of hope. Frankly all the "doom and gloom" has really started to affect my mental and physical health. I saw this future as one where everyone had a job they loved to do, they had resources they needed and everyone had the freedom to do what they wanted. I know that vision isn't practical. Not everyone will have a job they love to do. Not everyone will have the resources they need, and not everyone has the freedom to do what they want.

Some may that hope is overrated. The great darkness surrounds us with depressing images of a draconian society. I can hear them laughing at our struggles to free ourselves from the great darkness. They press us with hopeless messages of despair and pain. Yet those rays of hope poke through the darkness and shine light on their evil deeds. They can't hide. Hope always blooms.

I hate the changes our society is going through now. Some may say that they are the result of our compliance with the disintegration of our moral compass. We allowed the evil to flourish. Yet we now complain when we see the bitter fruits of this compliance with the Devil and his minions.

There are some rays of hope that pierce the great darkness. Nothing will remain hidden. It will all be brought to light soon. I do rejoice to see the movement of many who want to take back their freedom from tyrannical governments. They see the darkness, and want to shine the light on the ugly corruption. They will be exposed soon. When that day comes, we will rejoice that God has brought us through the dark sea.

I see a great vision where God is magnified and exalted throughout the whole world. It is a beautiful vision. I feel the tears in my eyes when I realize I have been set free...

Oh, Lord...Thank you for those rays of hope in this great darkness. Thank you for the light of your word that shines brighter than the sun in the sky. It is you, Lord that carries us through the storm. I don't have to be afraid of this dark storm that seems to overcrowd the sky. I can lean on the Lord, my Savior.

I am a vessel in God's hands. This great darkness can't hide me from God. He sees me even then and loves me with a love that is indescribable. I am amazed that he could love me. I am nothing special. Yet he signals me out to stand in his presence and bask in his radiant love. I don't deserve his love. None of us do. He sends those rays of hope, so we may know him.

A Voice for the Voiceless: Fighting Against Those Who Would Disbar People From Living

Yes. I am a voice for the voiceless. There are still so many of us that are very leery about putting everything online. We balk against using online banking. We like cash, even though the push is to eliminate cash. There is a scary rumor that cash will kill you. They are really pushing the fear factor to the point that businesses are starting not to accept cash as payment. This is not right.

I am fighting against those who would disbar people from living. They don't want these people to live because they can't control them. They much rather have everyone use their electronic currency so they can control you. The weak willed individual accepts this. They don't want to understand why going cashless means that someone can control you in every way.

Yet I can understand it too. You don't have to carry cash around. A card is convenient. Nowadays you don't even have to touch anything, just tap your card and go. It is way too easy to transfer electronic currency and spend money you don't have on things you don't need.

I am admittedly frightened by the rapid acceptance that cash is dirty, and you shouldn't accept cash for payment. I was calmed by the fact that the government is, for now, listening and has no plans as yet to eliminate physical currency. I do hope that the government and banking industry continues to listen. If more people weren't using physical currency, there wouldn't be a line at the drive through windows at the banks. I hope they see that.

We definitely need to fight this tenancy to fear cash or end up losing everything. We've already lost so much over the past two months. I am praying that we'll be able to get it back. Oh, Lord...please help us. We need you. I don't want to live in a society that takes away people's ability to live. We need that physical cash as a tangible asset. Electronic currency is invisible. It has no substance. It can be manipulated and controlled.

Free us, Lord from this tyrannical state government. May the curses that he has put on us fall on his own head, Lord. May he feel the pain and suffering that he put his constituents under today. May the impeachment inquiries move forward, and our state be free from his oppressive restrictions soon.