Essay: What does America need from her citizens?

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What does America need from her citizens?

From the book: Chum for Thought: Throwing Ideas into Dangerous Waters by David Satterlee

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Chum For Thought:
Throwing Ideas into Dangerous Waters

What does America need from her citizens?

I am struck by two dramatically different ideals of citizenship that are currently being promoted. These are fundamentally opposed cultural and political belief systems. I’ll compare these in the areas of human nature, education, work, and citizenship.

1] One idea is that we are fallen, weak, unable to manage ourselves, and in constant need of strong guidance, rules, and punishment. All children are born rebellious and need strict control so as to learn values, accept limits, and thereby lead a good life.

Children go to school to learn what experts have decided that they need to know. This includes how to obey authority, stay on task, and work together in groups.

This kind of education, common from the start of the industrial revolution, trains workers for manufacturing and service employment. These students are able to comply with supervision and management by their superiors — without exercising independent judgment or becoming a disruptive influence. This prepares them to be obedient followers and worker drones.

2] An alternate idea is that a Democracy requires participation by a widely-informed citizenry accustomed to reasoning on ideas, discussing alternatives, and making choices.

People are assumed to be fundamentally decent, inquisitive, and capable of learning how to make good choices. Children can and should be shown that they are worthy and able to

Essay: Is God sending disaster upon an unfaithful America?

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Is God sending disaster upon an unfaithful America?

From the book: Chum for Thought: Throwing Ideas into Dangerous Waters by David Satterlee

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Read or download this essay as a PDF file at: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4eNv8KtePyKd1Y3MmFlbFB2R00/edit?usp=sharing

Chum For Thought:
Throwing Ideas into Dangerous Waters

Is God sending disaster upon an unfaithful America?

Sometimes I realize that I just haven’t been paying good attention. Last week, a neighbor was talking to me about this column and suggesting some topics. She pointed out that God was punishing America for straying from the faithful Christian path, citing disasters such as the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York and the damage to New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina as examples.

I think that, at the time, my response was “Oh,” instead of the first thing that came into my head. People react oddly to being surprised by a new idea and I am no exception. Besides, Lord knows I’ve sprung enough new ideas on unsuspecting people to learn how quickly people can become defensive when presented with a new idea.

A little research revealed a 2008 recording of Wasilla [Alaska] Baptist Church’s pastor, Larry Kroon explaining that “’The Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.’ There will be not one act of unjust violence that God does not deal with.  Whether it’s a huge nation like Assyria, a corrupt African nation, or a slipping, sliding country like the U S of A. The Lord will leave no one unpunished.” Commenters pointed out that “The religious right has said this stuff for years,” and that “This is actually Sarah Palin’s sister Molly’s pastor.” So, I guess it doesn’t count.

In August, 2011, Michele Bachmann told a large Florida audience, “I don’t know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We’ve had an earthquake; we’ve had

Essay: Does positive thinking really work?

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Does positive thinking really work?

From the book: Chum for Thought: Throwing Ideas into Dangerous Waters by David Satterlee

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Read or download this essay as a PDF file at: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4eNv8KtePyKazFneVFoRG1lcW8/edit?usp=sharing

#Goals, #Focus, #Persistence, #Influence

Chum For Thought:
Throwing Ideas into Dangerous Waters

Does positive thinking really work?

Can "positive" thinking affect your life? Our beliefs often seem to be self-confirming, and we commonly believe in self-fulfilling prophecy, a prediction that makes itself come true. Napoleon Hill wrote a best-selling book years ago called, "Think and Grow Rich," which has gained renewed interest from the public recently.

Also gaining in popularity are the books/CD’s by Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Deepak Chopra, and Mike Dooley regarding one’s ability to think one’s way into health, wealth, and happiness. More recently, a book and movie called "The Secret," talk about a person’s ability to "think" themselves rich, healthy, and happy and gives testimonies from "real" people. Does this stuff really work?

The most obvious answer to the power of positive thinking is the idea that