a birds eyeview on government

How on earth can these smart men have contemplated the actions of OUR government ?

I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle -- Winston Churchill


A government, which robs Peter to pay Paul, can always depend on the support of Paul -- George Bernard Shaw



Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner -- James Bovard, Civil Libertarian (1994)



Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people in rich countries, to rich people in poor countries. -- Douglas Casey, Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown University



Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys -- P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian



Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it -- Ronald Reagan (1986)



If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free! -- P.J. O'Rourke (this is frighteningly true.)



In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other -- Voltaire (1764)



Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you! -- Pericles (430 B.C.)



The government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end, and no responsibility at the other -- Ronald Reagan



The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery -- Winston Churchill



The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin -- Mark Twain



A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have -- Thomas Jefferson

Wild Mushroom

I found this stunning large wild mushroom growing next to a dead pine tree  - It is 20 cm in diameter.

Something is missing here !

One of us is missing !












Ok Now where is the camera ?

Guard duty

"I will stand guard while you sleep"

The reading

I used to read a lot when I was younger , much younger. Untill I was about 24. I read anything: Storybooks, newspapers, magazines, you name it - I read it. Then the urge disappeared. I think it is the right brain that started kicking in. The bigger picture. Books bore me. I will read short articles and news worthy news. Nowadays I read the newspapers on the internet.
But then a few years ago my wife starting reading a book to me whenever we drive for longer than an hour
So it was that I "heard"   "The language of God" A book about the human genome -stunning stuff - no dogmas here, just plain facts.  And this weekend she started reading   "The shack" to me. At first I found it quite boring but as she went on I really started  to enjoy it.( It is not for the feint hearted)  About half way through now and I am starting to think this is a must for everyone calling themselves Christians.  It is about exactly that : Get rid of the dogmas you grew up with and start thinking for yourself.
One other quote I would like to repeat from the book " A bird was meant to fly , not to walk - they do not walk easily because their feet was not made for that purpose ! "
What were you made for ?  Just think on that one - no more no less !

Are you in control?

Where is your locus of control?  Internal or external.  Comments you read on external locus of control sometimes give the definition of this as blaming everyone except yourself for what happens to you.
This of course is not what it means :  It means that you are not in control of you locus (locality,personal space , call it what you will ) You allow the control to be taken from you. You do not decide,you have to get some-ones opinion on the matter before you decide.You accept that some-one , something will make the decision for you.
And you allow it. You give away control – Most probably a belief that you grew up with. You parents made the important decisions for you. You never propertly learnt to think for yourself .
Locus of control is a term in psychology that refers to a person’s belief about what causes the good or bad results in his life, either in general or in a specific area such as health or academics. This is another definition of this. E.g. External locus  is(could be) the acceptance that you are being punished for something you did beacuse  you got  ill or some other misfortune happened.  This is especially true amongst some Christians and of course is totally untrue and disastrous thinking lines.
Take control of your life – Keep control of it and amazing things will happen.
You will not be walked over. People will listen to you when you speak. Take a view and stick to it ( like I am doing here – whether I am right or wrong – this is what I believe and I stick to it).  Never be afraid to differ from people, it makes interesting conversations.  Never be a Yes person.
You will suddenly find that people will not be making contentious statements in groups where you are present. And they will be unwittingly seek your approval for what they say. If just in the way they look at you when they do make a statement.

White squater camps

Ever been to one ? a White squater camp. I spend some time there this morning and what I saw is a bit disturbing.  The people living there are all white with no visible signs of  income.  The one "chalet"(see pictures)
had a dirt floor, one bed and nothing else visible - some old clothes were lying in the dirt.  The whole place is very clean on the outside although it is all dirt area.  No electricity to the shacks.  A distinct smell of dagga was in the air in one corner of the settlement.

These people are down and out. Do no look you in the eye when  you pass. Has hope foresaken them ? I don't know.  The children seem quite happy running around all over the place.  So does about 50 dogs (about one dog for ever 2 people there) , pigs , chicken, turkeys all happily running around. What is interesting that although some of the people I saw looks like they are underfed the dogs all look healthy.

I think normal day to day South Africans should make a day trip to one of these settlements and most probably they will stop complaining about life, crime , the government and a lot of unimportant things. Here it is evident that life is a day to day challenge.