Please America

Please America (or, at least, my friends) turn off your televisions.

This past year you received more than a lifetime of vitriol, lying, corruption, threats, foul language, dishonesty and shock. Unbelievably, this was all brought to you by the campaigns for the highest civil office in our government. You have been sullied more than anyone should be forced to bear, and now they want your respect as “Leaders”.

Television is the money fountain funding this nonsense. The politicians and television executives know that there are millions of dollars to be garnered for and against the present administration. Inevitably, there is enough funding to promote both sides of every issue. The term “news” needs to be removed from their titles. Each network promotes only the information that they want you to know; hoping to attract a following to boost theirs ratings, which increases their revenues. Ironically, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Fox News fan or MSNBC, CNN fan, because this election was decided by our largest demographic: the uniformed or “low information” voter.

Like many, my blood pressure increases and I feel it is necessary to shower away the slime after watching the same small group of pundits, anchors and pseudo-intellectual experts regurgitate the same pabulum ad nauseum.

The problems, in my opinion, that we face as a nation are not confined to politics. They are matters of who we are as people, individuals specifically. We are witnessing an unparalleled degradation of our society. While we may attach many fathers as the patriarchs of blame. It cannot be remedied on the whole without first introspection as individuals.

I choose, and would encourage you to detach from the box. There is a wealth of information available through books. It can be carefully thought through at your own pace and without the theatrics of debate.

Some recommendations:

A History of the American People - Paul Johnson (This is a large volume and very astonishingly detailed. It contains many segments which can be read separately according to your interest)

Intellectuals - Paul Johnson ( Amazingly insightful details of the lives and thinking of the intellectuals whose thoughts created the foundation of philosophical/political debate today.)

Facts & Fallacies - Thomas Sowell ( Empirical evidence regarding well intentioned policy and the ultimate fallacy of their practicality.)

Basic Economics, 4^th Edition - Thomas Sowell ( Again a large volume which can be read in segments according to one’s interests)

The Reason for God - Timothy Keller ( A conversationally written book providing reasoned argument for belief in an age of skepticism)

Reasonable Faith - William Lane Craig (A scholarly written presentation of reasonableness of faith; this well known scholar has debated many of the worlds greatest atheists (See YouTube for examples)

Many of my friends already know that I try to read 8-10 books a year with a passion for history and theology. Last year was pretty dismal, I only read four, but it’s a new year and that I plan to rectify.

Please my friends, I believe it is imperative for all of us to improve as individuals. Books are an economical way of enhancing our minds, and thereby changing our lives.

As always, I am interested in your feedback.