Obama wants you to spread your wealth around, but doesn't do it himself. His charitable donations are abysmal, amounting to less than 2% on average.

He wants you to contribute $845 billion to his Global Poverty Act, but he doesn't even help his own half-brother in Kenya. Guess he has no responsibility to half-brothers?

At the convention he summed up the ability to prosper in America, "Born into poverty? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, even if you don't have boots. You are on your own." He then contrasted that cynical view with his ideals: (My emphasis)

Our government should work for us, not against us.  It should help us, not hurt us.  It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who's willing to work.

That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.

That's the promise we need to keep.  That's the change we need right now.  So let me spell out exactly what that change would mean if I am President.

Obama repeated his "I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper" clip in last night's infomercial.

Well, Obama isn't president yet, but we can see how much he believes in his own words: His own Aunt Zeituni lives in a rundown tenement in Boston. Guess being your sister's keeper doesn't apply to aunties either.

Last night Obama also appeared on Jon Sewart's show. He tried to diffuse the Socialist label by quipping,

"That whole socialism argument, that doesn't fly too well,'' Obama said. "The evidence of this seems pretty thin. I said today that I think they found proof that when I was in kindergarten I shared some toys with my friends and that's clearly a sign of subversive activity. 

But there is a big difference between sharing, which is voluntary, and being coerced to share, which is involuntary. Plus, sharing toys in kindergarten doesn't even count. The toys in kindergarten were not personally owned by Obama; they belonged to the school system

When we share our own assets, that is charity. When we share our own assets with friends, that is called friendship. When we are coerced to share our bounty through taxation--to spread the wealth around--that is called socialism! 

Obama summed it up best himself when he was asked about the greatest moral failure in his life and of America at the Saddleback Forum: (My emphasis)

...And what I traced this to [his wild living] is a certain selfishness on my part. I was so obsessed with me and, you know, the reasons that I might be dissatisfied that I couldn't focus on other people. And I think the process for me of growing up was to recognize that it's not about me. It's about --

WARREN: I like that. I like that.

OBAMA: Absolutely. So -- but look, you know, when I -- when I find myself taking the wrong step, I think a lot of times it's because I'm trying to protect myself instead of trying to do god's work.

WARREN: Yeah, fundamental selfishness.

OBAMA: So that, I think, is my own failure.

WARREN: What about America?

OBAMA:: I think America's greatest moral failure in my lifetime has been that we still don't abide by that basic precept in Matthew that whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me, and that notion of -- that basic principle applies to poverty... There's a pervasive sense, I think, that this country, as wealthy and powerful as we are, still don't spend enough time thinking about "the least of these."

Obama's selfishness and socialism is showing. If he does not do for the least of these in his own family, what makes you think he will do for you?

Please, comment content should relate to the subject of the post. Although I try to respond to many, do not interpret my lack of a response as agreement.

Links: 

Open Doors is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the persecuted Christian church around the world. It was the result of a one man crusade, that began in 1955, to support the local persecuted church in Iron Curtain countries. That man was Dutch Christian, Andrew van der Bijl, better known as Brother Andrew.

Brother Andrew turned 80 this summer (pictured left), and he is still going strong.

Today, his Open Doors organization works worldwide to supply Bibles to countries closed to Christianity and help oppressed Christians there. This particular Muslim challenge involves sending Bibles to Christians in Islamic countries:

Open Doors has been offered a $100,000 Challenge Grant to provide Bibles to Muslim converts.

...There is an amazing miracle that is taking place in Muslim countries like Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Muslims… even some radical Muslims… are coming to know Christ as their Savior!

These new believers often risk everything when they turn from Islam to follow Christ.  And the one thing they pray and plead for most… to give them the courage to stand strong… is a copy of the Bible!

Today, you can be an answer to their prayers when you send them the precious gift of God’s Word.(Donate link)

I first learned about Brother Andrew through homeschooling. One of the most enjoyable things my son and I did during our homeschool years was to start our day by reading missionary biographies aloud.

They all were good, but God's Smuggler was one of the more memorable ones.

Reading about Andrew's adventures in his blue VW bug not only made us appreciate our religious freedoms but also strengthened our faith. We saw how the God of the Bible, who closed the mouths of the lions for Daniel, was still miraculously intervening in lives today. Synopsis:  

As a boy, Brother Andrew dreamed of being an undercover spy working behind enemy lines. As a man be found himself working undercover for God. His was a mission filled with danger, financed by faith, supported by miracles. Told it was impossible to minister behind the Iron Curtain, Andrew knew that nothing was too hard for God. Crossing "closed" borders, he prayed, "Lord, in my luggage I have Scripture I want to take to Your children. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see."

And they never did. For 35 years, Brother Andrew's life story has inspired millions to step out on their own journeys of faith. This young Dutch factory worker's near-incredible adventures testify of God's step-by-step guidance and hour-by-hour provision -- available to all who follow His call. Far from being over, Brother Andrew's current adventures are his most challenging yet. In a new prologue and epilogue, the Sherrills [authors] carry his story into the new millennium with an account of Andrew's work in the "closed" societies of Islam.

Andrew continued to work, risking his personal safety to bring Bibles to people in oppressed countries. His personal mission brought him to China and Islamic countries too. You can read more about Brother Andrew van der Bijl's adventures and conversion on his website or read his books. (Truth sometimes is more amazing than fiction!)

Today, other people* are risking their lives to bring Bibles to Muslim converts, and converts still risk all for their beliefs. If you are a person of faith, pray for those converts, Open Doors ministry, and help with the Muslim challenge financially if you can.

*I know of a family from Brookfield who left their very comfortable life here to become missionaries in the Middle East. Because of the risk to their safety, details are not available. 

Links: 

One thing that always impresses me about Americans is their generosity toward those in need.

Recently we saw this type of outpouring toward Hurricane Katrina victims in our country and Tsunami victims in Indonesia.

In spite of us feeling we are taxed to death, many Americans still are very willing to give to others in need, for no other reason than it is the right thing to do.

Americans give with an open heart and open wallet--all on their own--no government involvement necessary. They give with no hope of gain or compensation, no arm twisting needed. It is great to see.

Now there is another need, the Chinese earthquake victims half way around the globe.

The Zhong family of Brookfield is holding a fundraiser concert on Saturday, May 31st, from 10 AM to 1 PM, to raise money for those suffering Chinese people. 

The concert will be held at the Brookfield City Plaza during Farmer's Market hours. So come for the market and the concert, and make a donation to this cause.

A Silent Auction follows the concert and a raffle for performers. 

This concert is unique in that it affords local musicians of all ages an opportunity to perform. If you wish to participate in the performance, contact Shan Lu at btinternational@sbcglobal.net or call 262-786-8188. 

Donations may be made by cash or check. Please make check out to the Red Cross or World Vision and note China Earthquake Relief Fund on the check. World Vision is a Christian organization if you wish your aid to be faith based.

I really admire private citizens who do something on their own to make a difference in the world. Shan, the concert organizer immigrated to the United States from China and now is a U.S. Citizen.

Hopefully this concert will be a big success!

Sorry for the poor quality of the info sheet. I could not get it to post in its original form. Finally had to resort to taking a picture! 

Links:

Last weekend an area Boy Scout leader I know stopped on my street with some of his troop. They were passing out food drive plastic bags. I was outside putting my homemade "Academics, not Athletics" sign on my front lawn, when he stopped to chat. I told him I would plug his food drive on the blog after Tuesday. So, here it is.

BOY SCOUT FEED THE HUNGRY FOOD DRIVE: 

Fill the bag from the Sunday newspaper or the one distributed by the Scouts with NON-PERISHABLE FOOD. It is a shame they need to mention this, but make sure the items are not expired or broken. Oooh. Canned goods, unopened package goods (not bread type items), hygiene and paper products, like toilet paper would be welcome too. NO FRESH FOODS.

Place the bag outside your front door by 9am on Saturday. I would not do this the night before if you have packaged items like noodles or hamburger helper because animals could get into it.

The Scouts should pick it up on Saturday. If it does not get picked up, then take it to a Pick 'n Save and place it in that specially marked barrel in the store.

You may have some items at home that you don't care for but could be useful to someone else. I frequently purchase things in multiples and then am disappointed when a family member does not care for that particular brand. Usually I take those new non food items to a thrift shop like ECFA's Almost Anything store, but this time I will put them in the Scout bag. 

Links:

A number of years ago, my family decided to quit giving Christmas presents to each other. As my witty husband said, if I want a personal gift, I will buy it personally.

Seriously though, we decided that we already have so much, what else could we possibly need? It seemed foolish to rack our brains trying to come up with gift lists, so we decided we would no longer exchange Christmas gifts. The time and aggravation saved from eliminating all those frustrating shopping trips is priceless. (You could say that is the best gift ever--not needing to shop!) The money saved can be put to better use: donations to your local church, favorite charities, wounded Vets, or supporting missionaries.

We were not total Scrooges though. Since our son was young at the time, we decided he would be the only one to receive and give gifts (he paid for them himself). Now that he is older, he still gives and receives a few gifts, but at least he does his own shopping!

When I still have to go to the mall or stores this time of year, some of the conversations between shoppers seem to be all the more glaring since I am not in the frenzy too. I want to suggest, No, Aunt Peggy really won't like "The Clapper", or Don't get that set of scented candles just so Margie has something to open. 

The Christmas oriented ads of I'm giving such 'n such salon gift certificates, I hope I get some too seem to go against the whole spirit of giving. 

Another benefit of not doing the gift thing is that you'll never have to say, You shouldn't have (because it is the ugliest thing ever) and you don't have all that stuff to find places for after Christmas has passed.

Evidentially, we are not the only family thinking along these lines. In Martha Stewart's December issue (page 184) she had some "hassle-free" holiday suggestions. Here are her tips on gifts:

Before Thanksgiving or soon thereafter, send an e-mail to your family members: "Buying gifts for everyone has gotten overwhelming. Does anyone else feel that way?" Then suggest alternatives--pulling one name each out of a hat, filling stockings for everyone with little things, or instituting a spending cap. You might also think outside the holiday box. What about forgoing gifts altogether and putting the money toward a family trip next summer of a big dinner at a great restaurant?

These are still pretty much self serving, but at least if gives some ideas of how to broach the subject. Maybe the family could pick a charity or project and all donate to that cause? Or pool their finances to fly Grandma and Grandpa to see their grandchildren?

If you can't bear the thought of Christmas with no gifts to open, how about a White Elephant exchange? The gift you bring can either be the tackiest thing you have around the house or a very nice item that you just don't have a use for. (Be sure to designate ahead of time which type of White Elephant it will be.) Sometimes they call this White Elephant exchange "Nasty Santa." It is a gift game where guests pick the gifts one at a time. Each picker in turn then has the option of picking a new gift or one already opened. If your opened gift is taken, then you can pick another's open gift or select an unopened one. At the end, the first opener has the option of exchanging with anyone's gift. My homeschool group had a lot of fun doing this.

Stopping the gift frenzy was the BEST decision for our family. It has helped us put the focus on the real meaning of Christmas. I can only encourage you to think about it and maybe discuss this idea when you gather with your family this Christmas. It could make your Christmas 2009 the merriest ever!

Want a Red Kettle? Try the Pick 'n Save!  (See schedule below)

                                                                  
I used to shop at the Elm Grove Sentry store quite a bit--it was an easy place to run into to pick up a few items. Their prices and quality suited me and they had some items that the local Pick 'n Save did not.

One of the nicest things about that store was the willingness of management to support local charities and service organizations.

In the summer they frequently had some group grilling brats for a fund raiser. In the winter, the familiar Salvation Army Red Kettle bell ringer would be just inside the entryway, ready to greet you with a Merry Christmas.

A few years ago I recognized the bell ringer; it was Tom Wacker. (If that name sounds familiar, Tom is married to Mary Wacker, the Forensics coach from East High School.) After a nice chat getting caught up on old times, Tom said he had been ringing the Salvation Army bell for years. In fact, when they used to keep records of who produced the most in southeast Wisconsin, Tom was at the top of the list.

The old Elm Grove Sentry store is now history, replaced by the new Sendik's. It has all the glamor that the old Sentry lacked. But it doesn't have one very important item: the Salvation Army Red Kettle! No Tom Wacker. No bell ringer. No collection site for the needy in Wisconsin.

I asked at the service counter why there was no Salvation Army bell ringer at the store. The woman gave me a vague answer that the store was so new and there were four charities that wanted to use Sendik's, so the management opted to not support any.

I have to admit, that answer made me bristle. That is usually the answer given when a business has no intention of doing anything.

Explaining that this location was a prime site for the charity and that the Red Kettle was an perennial fixture in Elm Grove, I let her know I was disappointed in Sendik's for having such a policy. She quickly said they might allow it next year. I said I would be watching.

Don't despair though, Tom Wacker is still ringing the bell. Starting today, he will be at the Pick 'n Save on Bluemound, just west of Calhoun Road. (See schedule below.)  Tom is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit, so stop by and throw something in the pot!

If Sendik's elimination of the Salvation Army Red Kettle is an important issue to you, please contact the Sendik's store in Elm Grove at 13425 W. Watertown Plank Road, 252-784-9525.  The best way to get a store to change their policy on things like this is to let them know you are disappointed in their position. Disappointment for me usually translates into not shopping there as much. Don't forget to thank the Pick 'n Save for still allowing the Salvation Army to use their locations as a collection site.

TOM WACKER'S BLUEMOUND Pick 'n Save SCHEDULE

TODAY, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 3-6pm

Thursday, Dec. 13, 3-6 pm

Thursday, Dec. 20, 3-6 pm

Saturday, Dec. 22, noon - 6pm