Progress or Regression? What is Right about Property Rights and Time Restraints

I've been doing some research about historic values of properties over time. It is a very timely subject due to the fact that there are at least four historic buildings being threatened with demolition in my hometown. Some would say that it is progress. The new super gas and market center will bring revenue and jobs to the town. Others will lament the cold hard fact that money leads to a sort of regression and erosion of the area in question. Sure, it is reasonable to expect that the value of the properties in question has gone down because of this. It is also reasonable to suggest that traffic concerns will be noted as a non-issue for some. They want the convenience that super gas station/market will give them.

The facts are that the properties in question have been abandoned. Some of them have been abandoned for years due to circumstances beyond anyone's control. Others have been bought by corporations that are just looking for a quick buck. They don't see the property rights that have been established in the past to prevent something like this.

It has happened before with the same corporation in that area. They totally demolished a distinctive row of old businesses and old houses to build the original market. I'm of the opinion that they really don't care about the communities they serve. If they did care, then there wouldn't be this huge threat to destroy five beautiful old buildings. Some would call them eyesores and havens for the homeless to destroy on their own. Yes, one of the buildings definitely needs some TLC. The other four buildings could go on the market without too much work.

Many do feel that allowing the gas station/market to go up will actually show progress, while others know that it will actually be a regression of sorts. Both environmentally and aesthetically it will be a disaster that the town will not recover from or be able to reverse once it happens. There are time restraints to the process as well. It just seems that there is not enough time to do all that needs to be done. Looking at it from a financial standpoint enforces the view that it will be progressive and good for the community.

I feel sad that it has come to this. I also feel a bit helpless to do anything about it. It does seem like it's a done deal especially since the town's land is involved as well. I just can't help thinking that this isn't progress. The ordinances were put in place for good reasons and this smacks of encroachment and a loss of environmental controls. I can understand the lure of money when you are strapped for cash. I do...I'm at that point myself...but I can't think about selling my soul for that...

Reminders of the Deeply Disenfranchised

Yup, I was reminded again last night that there are many people that are completely disenfranchised. Many of these people are unable to gain access to the Internet and have no connections they can secure. I thought again of the set of circumstances that led me to where I am today. I feel pain because I know that these people really want to get involved with the community.

The fact is that it isn't easy. I can be grateful that I have this access for now, but that could change soon. Then I would be in the same situation as these people I meet who are deeply disenfranchised. It is unfortunate, you might say that this is the case. I do keep my eyes open for opportunities that would allow me to work without accessing the computer and the Internet. I can't find any.

It seems to me that there is a whole segment of the population that is deeply disenfranchised. Some are happy to be that way and are resistant to any changes. Others are fighting against the poverty and disenfranchisement that is occurring for those who have no means to connect with the deeply technological society we now are forced to live in. For some of these people this means a slow and painful death. For others it means a search to sever the ties that still bind them to the digital society and break free.

I imagine that in a perfect world that everyone would be free to live as they choose to live. Some will say that they can, but they are only fooling themselves. The persuasiveness of the government to penalize those who don't go along with their agenda is frightening. They are still pushing their dark agenda on the people. They just don't understand. The deeply disenfranchised don't want the government peeping over their shoulders telling them what they can and can't do.

Yet at the same time they are struggling to understand why the services they had depended on are no longer available for them. It is deeply disturbing to find out that some retail organizations refuse cash any more....Sweetgreens is the first restaurant to go completely cashless....This is very disturbing and tells me that they just don't want my money anymore. I felt cold when I saw the sign as I walked in Suburban Square recently. My stomach churned and I almost felt sick.

Why? I had to ask, but would get no coherent answers. Disenfranchisement will soon lead to chaos as those who don't understand why they are being denied services...or told to "go online." News Flash....not everyone does everything online....sigh.

I was reminded of that last night as I sensed the frustration and a bit of anger at the unfairness of it all....

Community Matters: Reflections of A Local Citizen

Last week I celebrated July 4th by attending three local parades. The first one was my hometown parade which had gotten smaller and smaller with each passing year. Last year because it was the 125th anniversary there was a huge parade with five floats, one string band and a number of organizations riding antique cars. This year however it went back to what it had been with the exception of the two borough floats that were originally created for the 125th anniversary.

I admired the creativity of using the same floats and just making a few minor adjustments. It showed what a small group of people could do. I realized that by taking myself out of the picture and not pushing the organizations that I had pushed to participate...I had inadvertently became part of the problem as to why there had been a downturn in participation in the parade. It made me feel a bit guilty. I reflected on how the organizations had eagerly responded last year to my calls to participate in the parade. Was it just because it was the 125th anniversary? Maybe...but we'll never really know for sure.

The second parade I went to was larger because the town supported two of the three string bands that played in the parade. It seemed natural that the string bands would play for free or low cost for the community that supported them so heavily. I got up close to a couple of the members of the string band and noted the pride and joy on everyone's face. When I reflect on all the empty storefronts in this community, it depresses me. This parade helped me see that there is still a sense of community here even if it is just one day of the year.

I had some time to reflect as I walked to the third parade. The parade was just as short as my hometown's parade with some major differences. The music of the marching band thrilled me and took me back to when I marched in the parade as part of the high school band. I actually marched in the hometown parade three times. The first time was as part of a twirling team (I held the banner). The other two times were as part of the high school marching band where I held the banner.

Those were special times as I reflect back on them. It is heartening to see young people carrying on this tradition.

I didn't manage to get to any of the field events in the afternoon. I visited a couple of community events in other towns besides my hometown. It was educational. I can't say that I was disappointed by the low turnout at these events. It is hard to get people involved anymore. Community does matter. It is a lesson that our young people need to learn now or lose everything.

Reflections and Revelations: Living in an Increasingly Hostile World

When I first started this blog back in 2009 I really didn't know what was coming. I had an inkling as I watched the world grow dark. I understood that time was somewhat fluid. I was innocent of the increasing effects of technology in the hands of men.

I was still working back in 2009 but the company I was contracted out to had been sold. I witnessed first hand the devastation that merger caused. If I had really known that it was going to happen, I might have saved the anniversary book the company put out just before they announced the merger. I reflect back to that time every once in a while. I was in a good and what I thought was a solid position with work that may have lasted for years. Little did I know that the contract would be so temporary. I became unnecessary literally overnight.

The revelation that I could very easily be replaced took awhile to sink in. It hurt that the work I and my colleagues were doing could now be easily done remotely. I couldn't breathe for the pressure I was under at the time.

I wasn't ready for the hostility and hatred that surrounded me as I stepped out. It was only God's grace and mercy that stayed with me as I dealt with hostile forces. When I reflect back on that time I know that I learned a lot about personality types and how to deal with different situations. I made a few acquaintances when working at those locations. The revelations though were few. I felt like I was being used most of the time. I didn't like who I had become...a gossip and a bitter person. The Lord knew that I had to get out of that toxic situation. It was a relief when I was laid off in 2012.

It hasn't been easy. I haven't had full time employment for a very long time. Yet when I look back I realize that I have grown so much over these past five years. I've received revelations that I wouldn't have received had I remained where I was. I feel that I have grown as a child of God and that my eyes have been opened. Yes, I am living in an increasingly hostile world. I admit that sometimes I falter in my faith but God is still there.

Out of the Loop and Wary: The Disenfranchised

Hi, I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately over the increasing disenfranchisement of those who don't want to have their personal information "splashed" all over the Internet. It is discerning to say the least when potential employers ask you for personal information before they hire you. Yes, I do understand their concerns about hiring someone that could potentially wreck their business. What I don't understand is what happened to trusting the person enough to give them a chance? It seems like I'm being judged by what I can't control.

I am admittedly out of the loop when it comes to all the new technology and assurances that personal information will be safe. It seems to me that there wasn't a big issue with personal information getting into the wrong hands before the Internet. I am wary of employers who ask for very sensitive information online. This has hurt me because it seems that everyone is being too careless about what they share online. I am extremely uncomfortable about sharing personal information online. I have learned to open up a little because I needed to in order to search for employment.

There is a whole group of people out there however that are disenfranchised because they don't want to get online or have no desire to get on a computer. These people are understandably wary of the government's attempts to "push" them online by not having alternatives to getting information or getting much needed services. For them the push to get everyone online to do everything smacks a bit too much like "Big Brother". I do tend to agree in part with that premise. It is all about control. The media controls what information we see and has tried unsuccessfully (so far) to control how we think and feel. One of the biggest "pushes" is how we transact business and our currency. It is a bit frightening in a way when you realize how the governments of the world are pushing electronic currency. This is also one of the biggest obstacles for the disenfranchised.

Contrary to popular belief not everyone uses credit and debit cards to pay for items. Some of us still  prefer cash because it is solid and tangible...unlike electronic currency. Then there's the increasing push not to accept cash at certain restaurants or making the person who hands you cash feel like a pariah for having it. It just isn't right.

Is There Another Civil War Brewing Now in the US?

I've been reading the posts lately about President Trump and the attacks that the media have orchestrated. I've known for a long time that there is an extreme bias against those that still hold to the old fashioned ideas that our country was founded on. This extreme bias has been growing exponentially over the past nine years. Some would have you believe that the extreme bias has only reared its ugly head lately.

It isn't that hard to see anymore what's currently happening in our country. There are strong factions that want to rip out our history and wipe it off the face of the earth. They long to deny the Christian foundation that our country had. They don't understand that there are forces out there that want us to join in the global union and attack Christians.

I'm not sure as yet if there is another civil war brewing here in the US. The signs of polarity are there though. You can see the hate between those who would deny Jesus and the moral high ground and those who are trying desperately to hold onto that moral high ground. If there is another civil war it will be the Islamic base that will trigger it. I do sense that. Ishmael and Isaac's people have been fighting for millennia. They hate Christians. They want to usher in their Messiah.

Am I scared? No. I know that God has everything under his control. I know that he will strengthen me for the days ahead. I just need to be grounded in his word.

Remembering the Fallen and those who Served in the "Great War"

As we approach Memorial Day, I can't help thinking about those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. This year is the hundredth anniversary of America's entry into WWI. World War I was known as the "Great War" until the start of WWII. It is interesting to note how different the world was before the Great War. Many towns and boroughs were still agriculturally based and not manufacture driven. There were still pockets of society that worked at tasks by hand.

When I contemplate the atmosphere that many lived in before the war, I realize that there are many similarities to today. We are going through a massive change in how work is seen. The rapidity of the changes and the pressure many are under to conform and accept those changes is somewhat overwhelming. I read that many of the pressures people were facing during the early 1900s were similar to the changes that are happening now. No one really wants to believe this. There is some denial that things really are changing that much.

Yet as we remember the fallen and those who served in the Great War, we can discover that the media influence was the same. The media dictates what is important. You only have to study the colorful posters of the era to see the persuasive factors. The media is good at drawing people in and confusing the issue. I do wonder how many signed up because of the media campaign. It would be very interesting to say the least to see what effects the media has on the general population.

I can't help thinking about how the world has changed. It is no longer the world in which soldiers, sailors and airmen fought for in the early days. Nowadays many of the jobs are run by machines leaving the human element out all together. I know that many of the soldiers during the first World War would have loved sending the machines out instead of exposing themselves to lethal toxins. It is remarkable that so many survived. The Great War showed us the true ugliness of mankind.