What Can Change?

Do you know the feeling of getting excited about something and then after a few days, that same feeling starts to diminish? Best example... New Year resolutions! You might think you are motivated to start shedding the pounds and working out regularly, but the majority of people who make resolutions don't carry them out to the next year! Why is this? Why do we get so excited and motivated about something and then our excitement cools down? Is it just human nature? Or can we somehow....change that?

Throughout my life I have had my spiritual highs and lows... You know the feeling... Being pumped up about reading the Bible and living for Christ fully but then not feeling any excitement about it at all! I know I am being brutally honest. I know that some of you might start to skim read or stop reading a blog like this when religion or even politics is written about... I know this because I have done the exact same thing. There are many times that I just don't feel like reading further because I am just not in the mood to.

Let's switch gears to gossip columns and celebrity articles. I am not saying anything negative about people who read these things, but why are there more subscriptions to these types of magazines than newspapers or news magazines? Why do most Christians read books and magazines more than they read their own Bible? What is their typical excuse? They just don't have time to read the Bible. I know this because I have said and done the exact same thing! I say I don't have time but then I read a book in a few days....

I better hurry and finish this blog before your eyes start to glaze over...

When it comes to our relationship with God, could it be an attack from Satan or could it possibly be just our natural instinct to lose motivation? I know that some people, even some Christians, don't believe in spiritual warfare, but how can there not be? If there weren't demons or Satan to try to tempt us why did Jesus come to save us? From what was He saving us from? The Bible tells us about an unseen war! Why else should we put on the Armor of God?

For me, my biggest struggle is staying "on fire" for God when times are good! It is so easy to desire to seek God when times are rough! When we lose a loved one, we are so quick to tell our other loved ones that we love them and we try to put an end to any arguments because we realize how little time we actually do have with them. But after a few months, the bickering starts all over again!

What can change so that we continue to strive to live for God, to care about others, to stop the bickering between each other, to stop worrying about what is just going on in our lives?
We are such in a fast paced society we tend to only care about ourselves.... in the long term. How can we change so that our passion remains in everything that we do and think about?

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Recently I just haven't been in the mood to blog about my current interests, i.e. politics, sports, religion, or business. I think I could be possibly burned out from watching and reading and hearing so much bad news! I am a news junky! I like to know what is going on in this country and world. But sometimes you just need a break! You turn on the tv and you watch as the stock market tumbles. You watch as the housing market tumbles. You watch as unemployment increases! You know how the Bible recommends for us to think of good things? Well.... It is really hard to do that sometimes!
Ultimately I know that in the end everything that we are going through right now is only temporary and we will get through it. This time in our lives is only a fraction of our life! So why stress about it? On my birthday, my friend and I were driving to get some ice cream. We were chatting when I had a thought, so I of course had to share it with him. I told him that we are young. My dad is more than twice the age that I am. His adult life has been longer than I have been alive! Think of all the experiences that he has gone through! He has been through mulitple recessions and has lived through multiple wars. He remains upbeat and trusts in God fully with his life! I would be foolish not to learn from his incredible example.
As this year ends, I look back and see that this has been a year of really good highs and really cruddy lows. Ultimately I feel like that this year has just sucked! But do you know what? I have gotten through it! I have deepened my relationship with my Savior! My wife and I have grown together even more, when I didn't think it was possible, through these hardships and losses!
Even though I don't think that I should bury my head in the sand and ignore the news and not continue to educate myself with the happenings around me, I do believe it is absolutely necessary to take the time and appreciate the life that we do have!
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I am so excited for our Christmas Eve service! I don't remember anytime when I have ever actually wanted to go to a Christmas Eve service. I am excited about just spending time with Alyson this Christmas. During these next few days, I encourage you to not focus on your job or think about how much money you spent for Christmas presents! If this year has been just as sucky for you as it has for me, finish out this year with a bang! Take the time to tell your family that you love them and appreciate them. You know what they say.... don't forget about the true meaning of Christmas! Thank the Lord for giving his Son to us, because of that we do have hope and faith that there is a better tomorrow. We will get through these crappy times in the market and housing industry and national debt... Besides all of those things that we worry about are merely just that....... Just things!

Happy Holidays!

Arrogant

There are so many things that I could blog about from this week because of all of the events around the globe. Oil below $34, Christmas tree thefts higher, Bush bailing out the automakers, Obama choosing Rick Warren to speak at his inauguration, or wait... maybe I will give my opinion about that last topic....maybe later...

I was reading today on the Drudgereport about a CNN meteorologist suggesting that the global warming theory is arrogant! Personally... I can't believe that this actually made it in the news! However, I agree with him 100%. Earlier this year, I read an article written by scientists saying that the earth has cooled in the last few years. That didn't ever make it into the mainstream media. Instead we have seen "special editions" where news reporters go to the far North documenting the ice melting. They say this is to global warming! Here is a thought... a change in the earth's orbit can cause the sun to shine down more on different parts of the earth than usual, which would change the temperature in that general location. Just because that part of the earth is warmer this year than last year, doesn't mean that the earth is actually warming.

I am not naive and will not say that man does not have a responsibility to take care of the earth. I am not a tree hugger by any means and cry out to trees because it fell down, but I do my best to recycle and do my part in not trashing the earth. I do believe that all of the resources were given to us by God for our use, i.e. oil, natural gas, water, and etc... but that means we have a responsibility to take care of it. The meteorologist, Chad Myers said, “We have 100 years worth of data, not millions of years that the world’s been around." Then on Lou Dobbs Tonight, Dr. Jay Lehr, an expert on environmental policy said, "The last 10 years have been quite cool, and right now, I think we’re going into cooling rather than warming and that should be a much greater concern for humankind. But, all we can do is adapt. It is the sun that does it, not man.”

I personally think that "man made global warming" is a complete scam. We should continue coming up with different ways to generate energy, for instance, wind power, because that is just a smart thing to do.

Steiner's Movie Review

Last night I went to a late showing of Day the Earth Stood Still. It was completely the opposite than what I was thinking it was going to be. This was another one of your "protect the environment" movies. Think of the movie The Happening combined with The Day After Tomorrow.
I will be honest... despite the political motivation behind The Day After Tomorrow, I actually really enjoyed that movie. The Day The Earth Stood Still story was about aliens that come to earth to save the planet. They are virtually "the earth's friend." Here these aliens have waited for centuries hoping that the human population would change and start to care about the environment, but the aliens ran out of patience. Their goal was to wipe out EVERYTHING that is man made and every human being. They say the earth is going to die if humans stay around but that the earth will survive if humans are gone.

One of the popular sayings in this movie by the alien, which was repeated by others in the movie was, "This is not your planet." This comment was in reaction to the Secretary of State's statement saying that this was our planet. The aliens unleash millions and millions of miniature flying bugs that eat through virtually everything! A football stadium vanished in the matter of seconds and the majority of Manhattan was destroyed without a trace. In The Happening, nature took out its revenge on the human race and let out a gas from plants that motivated humans to commit suicide, in Day The Earth Stood Still, aliens unleashed little bugs.

The people in the movie kept telling the alien, "We can change! Just give us a chance!" They were doing everything that they could think of to keep the aliens from protection the earth from humans. With the horrible graphics, the horrible acting by Keanu Reeves, and the horrible story, I would have to give this movie an F!

Things That Are Ridiculous...In The News

Colin Powell
In a interview earlier this week, Powell said, "Gov. Palin, to some extent, pushed the party more to the right, and I think she had something of a polarizing effect when she talked about how small town values are good. Well, most of us don't live in small towns. And I was raised in the South Bronx, and there's nothing wrong with my value system from the South Bronx." Then continued on to say this about Rush Limbaugh, "Can we continue to listen to Rush Limbaugh?" Powell asked. "Is this really the kind of party that we want to be when these kinds of spokespersons seem to appeal to our lesser instincts rather than our better instincts?"
Absolutely unbelievable! After hearing Powell say these things, I believe that he is really only a Republican in name only! Why did he think it was necessary to bash both Palin and also Limbaugh? Basically what he is saying is that our better instincts should be more moderate and we should do away with our real conservative values. I respect Powell because of his service to our country, but he has made my "Things That Are Ridiculous... In The News" list this week.
Proposition 8 Musical
Some famous actors got together in the last few weeks and made a short musical showing their support of Proposition 8. Jack Black acted as Jesus and sang how the Bible is misinterpreted and how Christians pick and choose certain things to live by. I must say... This video is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous. This video shows me how Christians have done such a poor job in explaining and leading by example. It disgusts me when I see the news anchors smiles after the video.

Unique

It is very unusual for me to be able to blog twice in one day, but I couldn't pass on this one. One of the blogs I have been reading regularly, moms4sarahpalin.blogspot.com posted something that I found quite.... let me just say.... interesting. During this past election, we saw quite a bit colorful art. Remember the logo for Obama? You know.. the sunrise one? Then there is one that I have seen, not just from the blog I was talking about but also in magazines. Below is a picture painted by artist, Fairey. You might think that this is a very unique painting with the colors and all.

But then let's look at one more painting...

Do you see any similar characteristics? The above painting is a Soviet Union painting of Lenin. See any comparisons?

Unions... Unions...Unions

I apologize I haven't been able to blog recently this week, I work in the mortgage/banking field and have been absolutely swamped this week trying to get people locked in. I can't believe that rates are as low as 4.875% with only 1 point!!! Absolutely unbelievable! Okay.. I am getting a little sidetracked.
I am getting tired of this week's news that the "GOP caused the auto bailout from going through." Oh yes... let's point the fingers at the GOP! The GOP is the problem right? Wrong! I am seriously ticked off. It might be hard to believe, but in real life I am actually someone who likes to goof around... But there are two things that ALWAYS get me going, politics and religion! Oops.. I am getting sidetracked once again.
The GOP isn't the problem at all! The problem lies with UAW or United Auto Workers! The union absolutely refuses to allow workers' wages to be decreased at all next year! The GOP is merely asking for the union to share in the responsibility to keep the auto industry safe. Here is something very interesting... Foreign cars that are made here in the US pay their workers around $45 per hour or $93,600 per year. Because of UAW, US car makers with the US brand pay their workers around $60 per hour or $124,800. UAW is not willing to budge at all in negotiating a lower pay for workers. One part to business is that when times are rough, there are sacrifices to be made. It might mean that employees might receive a "temporary" paycut or maybe it means less paper that can be used around the office. There have to be cuts to make sure that the company remains in place.
When you or your family is going through a difficult time financially, you probably cut down on your eating out or cut down on going out to the movies. You have to cut back on "fun time" pay to help you get through those difficult times. The auto companies are going to have to make changes to their budget to get through these hard times, so it is absolutely inconceivable to expect them to make changes to every area except in wages.
Hey, I am all for people making money, but there is a reason why foreign auto makers are not in trouble. There is a reason why Wal-Mart, a no union company, is still staying profitable. So it isn't the GOP's fault at all that the auto bailout is stalled. I am morally against the bailout, but I am one who suggests that the responsibility and the sacrifice falls on everyone if the bailout does actually end up going through. Is it better to get a temporary pay cut and have a job or have no job at all because the auto company went out of business?
Unions are helping in driving some airlines and car manufacturers into the ground because of the "me" attitude. They are not willing to make any concessions when times get rough, but when times are good, "give me, give me, give me, give me!"

Things That Are Ridiculous... In The News

Welcome to the first weekly edition of "Things That are Ridiculous...In the News." My goal is to bring this to you each Saturday.

Proposed Tax on Smelly Farm Animals
Because the US Supreme Court determined that "belching and flatulence" becomes air pollution, The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a tax on ranchers who own "more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs to pay an annual fee of about $175 for each dairy cow, $87.50 per head of beef cattle and $20 for each hog."
To some decent sized ranchers, the annual fee could amount to $40,000! Bruce Friedrich, a Washington spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said, "It makes perfect sense if you are looking for ways to cut down on meat consumption and recoup environmental losses." Since when were "we" trying to cut down on meat consumption? I know that I am not the only one who craves a big juicy burger every once in awhile! The government shouldn't try to reduce production of businesses to help encourage a change in eating habits. If this happens, you will see plenty of ranchers out of business before long.
Rhode Island and Taxing Mileage to Help Pay to Fix Better Roads
Rhode Island has said that they want to, "impose a half-cent-per-mile fee, raising an estimated $50 million per year." If Texas ever did that, do you know how many people would be screwed? A lot of people here in Texas drive over 45 miles each way to work! I understand that Rhode Island is a VERY VERY SMALL state, but what happens if this type of legislation becomes a hit with other states?

Army Trash-Talking
This isn't really ridiculous, but I just had to share it anyway. Today Army played Navy in football. At the time of this video, Army had lost to Navy 6 consecutive years. So you can see why Army would be so ticked off! Oh... by the way... Army lost again.


Judge Sends Attorney to Jail for Six Months for Using the F-Word
Oh... I am not kidding! I hardly ever swear... but six months jail time? I am not about to go into a long post about judges and some judges' overuse of their power, but this is ridiculous. Sure... I think this might justify sending someone to jail for contempt for maybe a night (depending on who it was addressed to and how it was used)... but six months? Isn't that just a little... ridicilous?

Well, that is this for this week's edition! I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!

My answer to the crisis

So I have been asked by some what Republicans would do if they were to fix the problem themselves. I will be happy to share my opinion. =) I am going to phrase my answer by explaning what I would personally try to do.

The first thing I would do would change our tax code. It has been suggested in the past, but I would overhaul the system where we had a complete fair tax system. I would only have a sales tax. This would cause the loop hole that currently exists for so many business owners. You want to buy a million dollar property? That is great!!! But you will be paying a higher sales tax for that property. You want to buy a Lamborghini? Great!! But you will be paying higher taxes than if you just bought a KIA.

A HUGE MANSION

A NICE LAMBORGHINI
A TOP OF THE LINE KIA

There would no longer be complaints by the middle or lower class that the rich ALWAYS gets tax breaks. One great thing behind this is that even illegal immigrants would be required to pay taxes on everything they bought.

Of course there is an equation that would have to be worked out to determine what the sales tax should be to make sure there is a steady flow of tax revenue coming in. Obviously there are other holes in the system that would have to be worked out, but I don't have enough time to write about all of them.

To help fix the current problem, I would not give a dime to the auto manufacturers or to any other company to bail them out. We are a complete free market system, so you should fail if you weren't wise with your decisions. Here is what I am having a problem with right now... The Senate is asking for the 3 big auto makers to provide a explanation how they would fix their companies and use the money before they get any money. Why weren't banks given the same stipulation? Why didn't they have to show a new plan on how they were going to change their business? Instead... the government wrote them a blank check. Did you know that Bank of America told the government they were just fine and didn't need any money? The government gave them the money anyways and basically said it was mandatory. How ridiculous is that?

Here are some of my suggestions:

1. Tax incentives need to be given to companies to keep jobs here in the U.S. How many times do I call my help desk at work and I get someone in India who places me on hold for 10 minutes because they get paid the minute? Jobs need to be stimulated over here in the U.S.

2. Banks that are going to fail shouldn't receive any government intervention until they have completely failed. The government shouldn't seize a bank because they are concerned that it will fail if they don't intervene. Let the company fail first! Then guarantee the deposits of the customers.

3. Give tax breaks to banks or hedge funds to lend money or invest in the banking system. Example: Wamu received $7 billion from a hedge fund in Fort Worth in April.

4. Give tax breaks to small businesses and business start ups.

I understand that many people will be hurting if banks or auto makers fail. But the system needs to be allowed to correct itself on its own. More government intervention and more government debt will not fix anything long term. At what price are we willing to fix this immediate problem? Once we see another recession in 5-10 years, what will the government do then? We will already be trillions of dollars in debt! Already an estimated $7.4 trillion!! Are they just going to do the same thing as they are doing now?

Oldie but a Goodie!

As of November 14th, 31 of 47 Obama staff positions that have already been filled had ties to the Clinton administration. Then today Obama selected Hillary to be his Secretary of State. You might think that I was serious about the title of today's blog, but if you know me, you would know that I am being completely sarcastic. So with a VP that from the old days, and having so many people from the Bill Clinton era, how will we expect change? I know... I know... My side lost the election and I need to get over it... right? I don't think so! I am actually going to join the Collin County Republican Party, so I can get involved even more than before.
As I said before I hope that Obama doesn't fail, but so far with Obama's choices, I don't see a lot of promise in a change that we can actually "believe" in.

Where's the Money??

Last week I wrote about the possible bailout of the automakers, but now it is Citi! According to reuters.com, "The Treasury Department will get $24 billion of preferred shares and the FDIC $3 billion. Of the combined amount, $7 billion constitutes a fee for the government guarantees. The government will also receive warrants to buy $2.7 billion of common stock, comprising about 254 million shares at $10.61 each." Remember what I said about the government going to buy company stock? That means our government will be able to vote on company issues since they are now a shareholder. Bye bye free market! The article says it is only temporary... Ummm sure...

Because of the bad investment decisions and bad management, Citi has made its own bed. One thing I don't quite understand how does the government pick and choose who they want to help? Wamu didn't cut it, IndyMac didn't cut it, but AIG did and so did Citi. I would love to see the list of qualifications.

I don't see how people can think that throwing money at the problem will fix it! Obama and fellow democrats are suggesting a stimilus package that could exceed the $700 billion bailout. According to FT.com, "Chuck Schumer, a leading Democratic senator, predicted it could be as much as $500bn-$700bn. “It’s a little like having a new New Deal, but you have to do it before the Depression. Not after." Wait... can you believe it... I am not done. According to Bloomberg.com, our government is prepared to lend up to $7.4 trillion, that's $7,400,000,000,000 (if you didn't catch that), to rescue the financial markets!

President-elect Obama has said that he is considering a 2 year delay in any new taxes! On the service that seems like a noble thing, until you focus on the two words, "new taxes." Here is one of the significant differences between being a democrat and true republican (not a RINO, which stands for Republican In Name Only). When our economy slips, as it has, Democrats want to raise taxes or keep taxes how they are. Then a true conservative Republican's response is, "We need to cut taxes, all of them" just as Republicans in Congress have said.

The president-elect also has said that he would create 2.5 million jobs in investment in infrastructure, public service, and green technology. All of those jobs are government jobs. Who pays for all of those jobs? You and I, the taxpayer. Our government bureaucracy will be even bigger! I think John Boehner, House minority leader said it best,“I don’t think we want to empower government here and keep bureaucrats employed."

More spending, bigger government isn't the answer. We are hearing the comparisons to the Great Depression and how the government needs to respond. Just last month, two UCLA economists did a study that showed that FDR's actions caused the Great Depression to last 7 years longer than it had to. That is just something to think about.

Citizen Soldier

There is this one movie theatre that we occasionally go to. Before each movie, they play this one music video by 3 Doors Down. The song is called Citizen Soldier. The video is used for a recruiting advertisement for the National Guard, but the message that is portrayed is incredible! Our nation is blessed with the men and women who represent this country and put themselves in harms way whether it is in foreign or domestic lands. When you pray, don't forget to say a quick prayer for our soldiers as well. If you run into someone who has served or is serving right now, don't shy away from giving them a smile and shaking their hand and just saying thank you.



Lyrics
Beyond the boundaries of your city's lights.
Stand the heroes waiting for your cries.
So many times you did not bring this on yourself.
When the moment finally comes, I'll be there to help.

And on that day, when you need your brothers and sisters to care.
I'll be right here.

[[Chorus]]
Citizen soldiers.
Holding the light for the ones that we guide from the dark of despair.
Standing on guard for the ones that we've sheltered.
We'll always be ready because we will always be there.

When there're people crying in the streets.
When they're starving for a meal to eat.
When they simply need a place to make their beds.
Right here underneath my wing, you can rest your head.

On that day, when you need your brothers and sisters to care.
I'll be right here.

[[Chorus]]

Hope and pray, that you never need me.
The rest assured I will not let you down.
I walk beside you, but you may not see me.
The strongest among you may not wear a crown.

On the day when you need your brothers and sisters to care.
I'll be right here.
On that day when you don't have strength for the burden you bear.
I'll be right here.

[[Chorus]]

Another Bailout?

Another bailout...Really? The government has really opened Pandora's box on this one! Now you have cities asking for a bailout, states, and even private companies! The really big one that has hit the news recently is the "request" by the big three auto makers to get an emergency loan.

A lot of Americans are short term minded and are only concerned about the here and the now. How far are we, as a country, willing to go to make sure that we get through the economic downturn by bailing out companies both privately and publicly owned. Thanks to Wikipedia the definition of Capitalism is the economic system in which the means of production are owned and controlled privately, for profit, rather than by a state. Companies are built daily across the nation with the business owners knowingly taking the risk that there is a chance that their company might fail or that it might succeed! When Henry Ford started the Ford Motor Company, do you think the government would have bailed him out back then if he was on the verge of shutting down? I don't think so, because at that point, the company didn't employ that many people.

The point is that companies rise and fall, and they should be allowed to do just that! I was against the $700 billion bailout and I am also against any additional bailouts. I know what you might be thinking, "Oh wait, Justin, so many people could lose their jobs if the auto industry isn't bailed out." I understand that families will suffer if there are layoffs or if you get a pay cut if you keep your job. This is coming from someone who is directly affected by the current economic situation. If the companies are on the verge of collapsing, then they ought to be allowed to collapse. The opposite is true as well, if they are thriving, don't tax them more!

America used to pride itself with the fact that it had a "free" market society. With constant intervention and constant talks of even more regulation, our free market is not so free anymore. Throwing money at the problem won't fix the problem. Today, Harry Reid said, "All it would take is one stroke of a pen and that problem would be solved. We are seeing a potential meltdown in the auto industry, with consequences that could directly impact millions of American workers and cause further devastation to our economy."

Sorry Harry, writing a check won't solve anything long term. Sure it might be a band-aid, but you aren't cleaning the wound and sewing it up to ensure that it heals properly. Any kind of sudden movements or any kind of scratching at the wound could tear the band-aid right off and the bleeding starts all over again.

We all want to be considered a patriot. When you think of our soldiers going off to Iraq or any place else, you think of patriotism. When our country united together after 9/11, you think of patriotism. Patriotism is showing the love and devotion to one's country. Soldiers that are being shipped off to Iraq are thinking of only their country! They are leaving their family and friends behind because of their patriotism. Biden said that paying more taxes was patriotism... I don't agree with that at all. However, I consider myself a patriot because I am devoted to this country and I love it! I want it to succeed how the founders wanted it to! So why am I against the bailout of the banking and auto industries? Why am I against bailing out private and public companies? Because of the love for my country!

I would much rather suffer through these next few months knowing that the future of this nation remained intact, rather than see the government take our tax paying money and pick and choose which companies they think should succeed or fail or take our money and buy stocks in lower performing companies. Don't you see that because of this, the government would have part ownership in these public companies? Say goodbye to free markets. These politicians are thinking only in the short term (2-3 years). They are doing what they can to fix the immediate problem. Notice how these recessions are getting closer and closer together in years? Until they actual sew up the wound and allow it to heal, we are going to continue to see this cycle. Sure we won't have layoffs in 2009 or 2010, but what will happen in 2011? Even though we might see massive layoffs, if companies were allowed to fail, it would be better for our country in the long run and benefit us more in the long run if we allowed companies to rebuild themselves.

We will be better and stronger for it!

A Change of Scenery

Welcome to the new blog of Justin Steiner! I will still keep my old blog jpsteiner40.blogspot.com up and running, but I won't be making any new posts there, at least not in the near future. One of my friends put a link to my blog on his and the title was, "Big Guy - Bigger Opinions." So that is where I get the name of my blog from. Just a little insight for you!

My wife does such a phenomenal job keeping everyone updated about the happenings of our life and family, I decided to change up my blog... just a little. Everyone thinks that their opinions are important right? I definitely think so! So here, at Big Guy - Bigger Opinions, you will find insights for you... you name it, politics, economics, business, movies, religion, heck, I will even venture into conspiracy theories! (no... don't think I am a conspiracy theorist, because I am far from that) If you are curious as to what I think about something, drop me a comment and I will be happy to think about it and give my opinion.

Just to give a quick explanation to who I am... I am a Christian, family man, conservative republican (there is a difference), businessman, pro-lifer, support our troops guy, reader, movie watcher, sports watcher, political junkie, and a proud self-proclaimed nerd (I didn't used to be this way).

I value the friends I have and never hold grudges against those who don't believe the same beliefs that I do. I think it is important to debate ideas (friendly debate of course) so that you can grow stronger in your beliefs. So if you don't agree with me, I would love to learn why! Who knows, maybe I will be swayed. =)