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The way I understand it, AARP sells the type of Medicare supplemental insurance known as a medigap policy. Other groups, such as Humana, sell a type of policy known as Medicare Advantage. The proposed health care plan is apparently going to reduce payments under Medicare Advantage plans because they tend to be more expensive for the government. That reduction will make medigap plans more attractive and probably throw more business to groups like AARP.

I'm retired and have lived in Minnesota for a little over two years. In the church my wife and I now attend, I lead a small group Bible study for older members of the church and also teach the same age group in a Sunday morning Bible class.

The most common complaint I hear from them is how sin and judgment are not preached in today's church. They see it as an attempt on the part of the modern church to not be offensive to the culture in order to build membership. I have to agree with them.

In an age of self-indulgence, materialism, relativism, and post-modernism, it's difficult to get people to agree that there is evil and that certain things are wrong.

"You can't square those two things."

Yes, in this age of post-modernism where there is no absolute truth, you can square any number of things because there is nothing that is so true that it cancels out something else.

Democrats seem to be particularly good at putting together contradictory ideas...but, unfortunately, it's become a society-wide phenomenom.

"You can't square those two things."

Yes, in this age of post-modernism where there is no absolute truth, you can square any number of things because there is nothing that is so true that it cancels out something else.

Democrats seem to be particularly good at putting together contradictory ideas...but, unfortunately, it's become a society-wide phenomenom.

Thanks for the updates.

Sometimes I think we believers rely too much on government to protect our religious faith. Years ago, while on vacation in Texas, I heard the pastor of a large Baptist church bemoaning the fact that if Christians weren't careful, the government would essentially wipe out any influence of the church in society.

I say, if we believe in a God of power, let's not get overly concerned about the imminent death of the Judeo-Christian faith in our increasingly secular society. If we have to rely on the GOVERNMENT'S grace and permission, we're already on the doorstep of death.

Religion is not legislated into power nor is it destroyed by a government's legislation.

I would say something like this:

"When you're young, it's easy to see the world and your interests all wrapped up in the present moment. The past is past and irrelevant. The future has not happened yet...and may never happen and so it's irrelevant too. The point, too many people say, is to enjoy the moment and get all you can.

There will be many people--politicians included--who will promise you everything you want right now--and don't worry about the effect on your future and the future of the nation...and the future of the world.

Like it not, what you (and we) do on election day will determine some important aspects of the future: the security of our nation, the economy, the march of freedom across the world, the way law is made and interpreted, and the kind of world you and your children will live in someday.

As you grow up and begin to get serious about marriage, you will have to judge the guys who come into your life. What you really need to look at is not words, deeds, and accomplishments. They are important, but they are not the key indicator what a person is like. You need to examine CHARACTER:

Is this person someone you can trust with your future? Is this person someone who will keep his promises? Is this person someone who will be there when you need him? Is this person someone who is looking out not just for his interests, but yours? And more important, is this a person who is looking for what the future will hold for BOTh of you as you grow into your relationship in the years ahead?

And most important, is this a person of principle? Are there solid, unchanging ideas that guide his life regardless of circumstances ("For better, for worse,..etc."?) Or do his ideas depend on his circumstances ("I'll love you forever...until I stop loving you.")?

Voting for a candidate is much like deciding on a future mate. A great deal hangs on what you decide--not just for yourself but for many other people as well.

Choose carefully!"

Thanks!

That's helpful (and somewhat reassuring!).

I'm confused. I've been watching Fox News this evening, and they mentioned a Newsweek poll showing Bush up 48 to 46.

What am I missing?

OK.

Thanks.

"They had no idea..."

Good poiint.

Thanks.

Wasn't another factor a program established under the Clinton administration to help provide vaccines for children? The government bargained for large amounts at reduced prices and told the drug companies they couldn't charge more than a certain price--even if they lost money on the vaccines. So, the companies stopped making vaccines and the only alternative was for the U.S. to buy from foreign companies.

At least, that's what I heard on Rush last week.

Any confirmation of that?

I was stationed at Fort Huachuca 1963-65. At that time, Sierra Vista was a fairly small town outside Huachuca. Now it's a city of approximately 40,000 with, among other things, a gated community.

I can see where this could be a joyride thing from some of the locals. If it was illegals, I'm trying to figure out why they would be heading to Huachuca, unless they had no idea where they were. Which, if they were illegals, would make some sense.

I'll be interested in reading more details when they are available.

I just finished reading Peter Lance's "1000 Years for Revenge" which documents the many instances where the FBI had chances to "connect the dots" and perhaps prevent not only the 9/11 WTC event, but also the first bombing of the WTC.

The intelligence briefing that Bush received needed a larger framework that had been overlooked time and time again by the FBI--at least, according to Lance.

I agree. But we can't force someone else to do what we do...and maybe that's what you're saying, too. Bush may tithe (and I DIDN'T know that), but he can't force someone else to do it.

The more I learn about George Bush, the more impressed I am, and I was impressed a long time ago.

Thanks for the info!

A great illustration of the true role religion should play in our society: shaping the character of individuals who will, in turn, live principled lives of integrity, compassion, and sensitivity. In a society like ours, religion should not be used to impose one's religious rules, but to be "salt and light" examples to make a quiet difference wherever one is.

Actually, I was thinking more in terms of the lost taxes of 43,000,000 potential wage-earners being fed into the Social Security fund, and the children of those wage-earners, etc.

Has anyone ever run the figures on the financial impact on Social Security of 43,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade was handed down?

When I read this, I thought immediately of Richard Weaver's classic little book, "Ideas Have Consequences," or, as I used to put it when I was teaching high school students in a Christian school, "Belief leads to behavior."

When abortion is the law of the land, all kinds of unintended (?) consequences follow. Among them are: sexual promiscuity, child abuse ("If I could have killed them in the womb, why can't I mistreat them after birth?"), a broadening definition of what is dangerous to the mother's health, an increase in abortions for the sake of convenience, a redefinition of the relationship between the sexes (any "accidents" can be corrected without the inconvenience of dealing with an additional life on the way), a denigration of what it means to be human, and, in general, a weakening of the foundations that are necessary for any society to function without being reduced to moral chaos.

If Senator Kerry's position is any reflection of his overall approach to moral and ethical questions, his election would only speed up the moral decline that has been occurring in this country for decades.

I don't look forward to that!

You're right. I just hope they get it right when they vote this time.

Thanks!