Problems in the United States + What the Future Holds

Obama Elected President           Inauguration of Barack Obama         God's Message for the USA and Canada

Main Problems           Profound Divisions            Symptoms of the Coming Break-up            Solutions and Scenarios

1. Main Problems in the United State that will lead to the break-up of the USA.

A) Excessive spending and indebtedness of the government. Record deficit spending. Please go to the USA Debt Clock for the details of the humongous ever growing debts. The National debt is rapidly approaching the 13 trillion dollar mark !

B) Ever growing control and power of the government, and weakening of individual liberty.  

C) Huge numbers of illegal immigrants. There is an estimated 11 million or more illegal aliens. Apparently due to the economic downturn the numbers have recently come down slightly, but 11 million is still a massive foreign invasion of people, who of course have no right being in the USA. 

D) Alienation of more and more Americans from their government - especially the federal level of government, which increasingly does not reflect the will of the American people on many issues. 

G) Intractable divisions in the United States, which are so deep, and run right through the whole nation:

1. Ideological split between the right and the left, between republicans and democrats, and the split is so very deep and bitter. 

2. Racial divisions - between black and white and  between Hispanics and the rest of the country. Deep and profound racial divisions. 

3. Deep and profound divisions along social issues such as abortion, gay rights, political correctness, affirmative action, etc. 

4. Alienation of the Christian right - particularly the White Christian right. 

5. Deep divisions between the government and the ordinary people. 

6. Deep split between the rich and ordinary Americans - a deep economic divide, the huge and growing gap between the rich and ordinary working Americans.  In the United States, the richest 10 percent earn on average  $93,000 compared to the poorest 10 percent who earn on average $5,800.  California has more billionaires than any other place on earth, except for the United States proper, and around 662,735 millionaires live in California, yet the State of California is in severe economic straits (basically broke) with an official unemployment rate of 12.5 %. The economic top one percent of the population in the USA now owns over 70% of all financial assets, an all time record. The 400 richest Americans have a combined wealth of about $1.57 trillion, which is more than the combined net worth of 50% of the USA population. Wall street bankers and and CEO's of large corporations keep raking in huge salaries and fat bonuses - in spite of the severe economic downturn and bail out of Wall Street by American tax payers. 

7. Growing influence and power of governments in ordinary American's lives - fears of socialism, fears of the possible confiscation of guns, fears of control by the United Nations, fears of excessive immigration, etc.

Clear Signs that the break-up and splitting of the United States is coming soon. 

1. The emergence of the Tea Party Movement.  The "tea party" activists all agree: Government is too big. Spending is out of control. Individual freedom is at risk. And President Barack Obama's policies are making it all worse.  " We're afraid and we're fed up and we're angry, " says Donna Henton of Blair, Neb. " But where this is going to go, we just don't know. "

2. Growing threats of violence.

3. Growth of Christian militias (especially White Christian Militias). The number of extremist anti-government groups and militias grew from 149 in 2008 to 512 in 2009, said Heidi Beirich, director of research at the Southern Poverty Law Center, a group that monitors extremism. 

4. Divisions and splits between North and South. 

5. Backlash of the White Christian right.    Award winning American Author and Journalist Chris Hedges said that the escalation of violent rhetoric in American politics is an urgent warning sign:  " The language of violence always presages violence.  I watched it in war after war from Latin America to the Balkans. . . . I have seen this drama.  I know each act.  I know how it ends.  I have heard it in other tongues in other lands.  I recognize the same stock characters, the buffoons, charlatans and fools, the same confused crowds and the same impotent and despised liberal class that deserves the hatred it engenders."   Hedges warned those on the left that  " the longer we refuse to embrace and recognize the legitimate rage of the working class, the faster we will see our anemic democracy die. " 

6. Growing dissatisfaction by many Americans of big government. Two-thirds of Americans are "dissatisfied " or downright " angry " about the way the federal government is working, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. On average, the public estimates that 53 cents of every tax dollar they send to Washington is " wasted."

7. The growing disrespect of their government and elected leaders by ordinary Americans. 

Some Possible Solutions and Scenarios 

1. Somehow the USA coming together and being able to be resilient enough to overcome the profound divisions and the deep economic problems.  The United States has proven itself to be amazingly resilient and capable of great things in the past.  There is a chance they could pull themselves together, but this is very dependent upon there emerging some strong leaders, who can unite the country behind a collective cause.  The difficulty today is that there are just too many intractable problems coming to a head all at once. There are just too many divisions. And the national debt is out of control. Frankly - the problems appear to be too big, and too many for this scenario to happen, but don't underestimate the United States entrepreneurial - can do spirit. 

2. Some parts of the USA forming a closer bond with Canada. Depends if we Canadians can put our act together, and work for real change here at home first, and be capable and able to offer disgruntled American States a viable alternative to the present arrangement they have within the United States, and incentives to form such a new arrangement.  And where we can convince what remains of the United Sates that this new arrangement will work for the benefit of all - for the benefit of those States which would not be a part of the new political configuration, and that the split can happen peacefully and be Constitutional. 

Canada is extremely dependent upon the United States, and is its largest trading partner. So if the USA starts self-destructing (which appears to be happening now) this may force complacent Canadians to work with their USA brothers for some sort of mutually advantageous arrangement between some of the American States that have strong and closer ties with Canada - like those in the North West, and generally those closer to the border, while still not alienating the rest of the USA. It is unlikely this new political arrangement would include those States in the far South or Central East, since the cultural divisions are too big. 

3. A peaceful split or break-up of the USA.  This may happen, if there is a very real danger of severe internal conflict, and there is a desire to accommodate the forces of change. However, there must be offered a practical, articulate, alternative to the present union, and there needs to be clear benefits for a split for all the parties involved. It depends if the split can be mutually beneficial - and still retain economic and cultural ties - even though there would be a political split. 

4. Civil strife, social unrest and decay.  Perhaps, but if civil strife happens there would probably be a big crackdown by the authorities, and so this would probably result in even greater government restrictions on the American people. This in turn could lead to a form of dictatorship in the USA, something those seeking genuine change do not want. Therefore to encourage civil unrest would probably be self-defeating for those promoting freedom and liberty and less government control over their lives. 

Social decay is already happening  like with the large numbers of Americans, who are homeless, or sleeping in their vehicles. Although homelessness is difficult to measure definitively, it appears that more people—especially families—are sleeping in shelters, living in their cars, and taking up residence in tent communities. There were approximately 744,000 homeless people in the United States in 2005, according to the first national estimate in a decade - the estimate was between 444,000 and 842,000 homeless.  

5. Civil War. This is a frightening prospect, and is probably unlikely since the divisions and leadership within the USA are too fragmented or Balkanized today. However, there is a history of warfare and violence in the United States, like with the War of Independence and the Civil War, so this cannot be ruled out. But right now there is no strong clear cut division like there was back in  Civil War times - between the Confederate States of America and the Union. It is also very dependent upon whether a coherent, alternative leadership emerges, and the approach they support, and whether this leadership promotes peaceful or violent change. 

6. A socialist America run by big government and big business. This is happening already, but there is strong resistance to it.  The way I see it is that there will arise this strong  resistance to big government (it seems to be happening already), due to the culture of individualism and love for liberty that still resides within the American soul.  It is just a question as to how the resistance will manifest itself, and whether someone can harness this discontent and channel it towards productive ends. It seems very unlikely that freedom loving Americans will sit idly and passively by and allow big government to enslave them, and strip them of their liberties. 

7. Bankruptcy - hyperinflation and a decreased standard of living.   Actual bankruptcy of the USA government is probably unlikely, because of their ability to print money. However, if they just continue on with the reckless spending, and keep printing money - hyperinflation cannot be ruled out. A decreased standard of living seems inevitable, if the government keeps up with its current backward fiscal policies. 

Big Changes are Coming in Canada and the United States

Nations and empires do not last forever. In nature the death of one brings life to another. Nature hates a vacuum. The question is whether the changes coming will be positive or negative. Conditions may exist for fundamental change, but won't happen without leadership. Hopefully avenues can be opened up for participation and positive, productive change. If the authorities work to suppress, and stifle genuine desire for reforms - then this can lead towards destructiveness, or other negative consequences. 

It should be left to the people of Canada and the United State to come up with practical solutions to the problems we face - that will serve our mutual interests within the framework of liberty and democracy. Canada's future is tied in with the future of the USA, since there are simply too many deep ties and connections between the two countries. We share out brother's fate. Will Canadians be up to the challenge of change, innovation and opportunities for leadership ?  And can we put our own house in order first ? 

 

Barack Obama Elected United States President   by  Ray Wegner Inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th USA President - a politically incorrect view from a Canadian prospective. Exposing the hype, lies, misinformation and distortions.    Naturally this is a United States election, and it is their President and it is their democratic choice. We here in Canada will be influenced for better or worse by the political choices Americans have made. So for what it is worth here is my perspective of this election.  Obama is Not a Black Man I feel that Barack Obama is not very honest. Why ? Well it is simple. Obama claims to be a black man, but what is the truth ? He is of a mixed race. There has been considerable debate regarding Obama's true ancestry. Some say he is black, others say he is of a mixed race, some say he is mulatto, some say he is 43.75 Arabic.  Obama has been quoted as referring to himself as a " mutt " - mutt meaning of a mixed race.  We can be sure he is 50 % white since Barack Hussein Obama is 50% Caucasian from his mother's side because his mother was a white woman from Kansas.  Now there are some who claim Obama is really 43.75% Arabic and 6.25% African Negro from his father's side.  We know Barack Hussein Obama's father was from Kenya, but it is claimed by some that his father's family were mainly Arabs.  Therefore according to them Barack Hussein Obama's father was only 12.5% African Negro and 87.5% Arab. Now there are some who would dispute this, and tell you Obama's Father was not Arabic at all, but 100 % black. Okay for arguments  sake let us assume this to be so - this would still mean that Obama is only 50 % black - and naturally 50 % white. No matter which way you look at it Obama is at least 50 % white genetically. This would make him of a mixed race or perhaps mulatto - if he is 50/50.   Obama a black man ????  Certainly not !  I feel Obama  is just using his connection with the black race as a political tool to help him win the election. Then much of the media in the USA is saying this is the first black American President - do they think people are idiots or something ? If a man can't be honest about his racial background - then how can you trust them ?  So I do not trust Obama. To me he is just another politician.    Obama a Candidate For Change ???? The spin is that Obama is going to bring great change - a new day is dawning we are told. Man oh man do naive Americans really believe that bull.  Obama is just using the spin of change in order to win the election - it is a sly and clever political gimmick. Additionally so many Americans are just plain fed up with George Bush and the Republicans, so they have thrown their support (particularly their financial support) massively behind Obama, and the Democrats. The change really is just the same old, same old - the majority of American voters have simply decided they are fed up with the Republicans, and it is time to give the Liberals - the Democrats a chance. And many Americans are opposed to the War in Iraq, and Obama has said he will get the USA out of Iraq.  Obama has filled naive Americans with the expectations of change and the dawning of a new age for America. But this is just politics.  He won't be able to deliver on these utopian visions, and there are going to be a lot of very disillusioned people. It is just a power grab, cloaked in the mirage of change.    The Real Change  The real change with Obama is that he has socialist leanings, and the Democrats are more powerful now. So the real change is political - the move towards a more socialist America. Socialism folks is a societal disease - and believe me (living here in socialist Canada)  socialism is not the answer.    An Historic Election ??  We are being fed the baloney that this election is so very, very historic. Really ?  There is nothing historic here. It is just the same old political game - Democrats are now in power in the White House, and the voters have kicked out the Republicans.    Yes We Can !!! This was part of Obama's victory speech where he again is raising very great expectations of fundamental change, and promising and promoting the supposed greatness of America. This is pure personality by him, and Obama tapping into deep longings and yearnings of so many American people.  But he was using the words  " yes we can " and the people were repeating the words, like they were at a religious revival.  But what do Americans mean by these words - yes we can ?  What is it exactly they are going to do ?  What are the goals - other than the tired out themes of a strong economy and economic prosperity. I found there to be a lot of wishful thinking, and a lot of grasping for straws, nice sounding words, a lot of emotion, but very short on clear vision and goals, and a clear and methodical method on how to achieve those goals. Nostalgia, and boasting about past glory may sound good, but it it won't pay the bills, and it won't unit a very divided country.   More Deceptions, Lies and Misinformation by the Media There apparently were a lot of black people in the USA and elsewhere so very, very pleased that a black man could be elected as the United States president. I personally had a fellow worker, a black man from Africa tell me that he never thought it possible that a black man could ever be elected as the USA President.  There were black people who were actually weeping over Obama being elected President. The end of all that racial prejudice stuff in the USA we were being told. The end of all the racial tensions, and the end of segregation, and the full acceptance in the USA of other races - especially the black race.  The truth is that these very statements about the end of all that racial business in the USA are in themselves racist - let me explain. We know for sure Barack Hussein Obama is 50% Caucasian from his mother's side because his mother was a white woman from Kansas. Some people claim he is 43.75% Arabic and 6.25% African Negro from his father's side. If this is so he is really only 6.25 % black. If he has no Arab blood in him then he is at least 50 % white and 50 % black. Hmmm something doesn't add up for those claiming he is a black man don't you think ? Yet black people are saying he is black ???  Talk about racism - this is it. Apparently according to these people's twisted prejudiced, discriminatory  logic - black will always trump white. This shows me that those black people who claim Obama is black are racists, since to them obvious black is superior to white and to Arab, and no matter how little black you really are (like 6.25 % with Obama or even if he is 50 % black) black trumps white according to their perverted, racist logic. His white lineage is discounted and ignored, which is dishonest.  Additionally all this hype in the USA about Obama being the (so-called) first black American President shows us clearly that racism is still very much alive in the USA. How is that ? Let me clue you in, since the established media obviously wants to pull the wool over your eyes, or they are just plain ignorant. The very fact of Obama's so-called claim to be a black man, and all the resultant hype and attention given to his supposedly status as a black man - shows us that the USA is still obsessed by racial differences and racial tensions, and racial prejudices. If race wasn't important in the USA - as so many in the USA are trying to tell you - then the matter of race would have never even come up. If the USA was so free of racism - then almost nobody would have even noticed or cared what race Obama was. It would have been a mute point. However, it was not a mute point. Obama brought it up constantly, and even brought it up in his acceptance, or victory speech. He milked that racial cow for all she was worth.  In a society where all races and people's are regarded as being equal - then the race of those running for high government positions would count for squat - it would be an irrelevant matter. Instead people would focus on other more important aspects of the candidate like their record, their policies, their character, etc.  You know I am color blind when it comes to race. However, just like everyone else I cannot escape my genetic heritage. My racial and genetic background is German - when younger my hair was light brown, I have blue eyes and type O blood. I am very strongly Germanic genetically. However, I do not consider myself German, or Teutonic at all.  I was born and raised in Alberta, and consider myself a native of this country.  Have almost no interest in Europe, and prefer to see my own Province Alberta first and my own country country Canada first.  My wife is Vietnamese, but she says she is a Canadian girl, and our two daughters are genetically mixed (but I would like a lot more children). However, just like me they are natives of this country - one girl was born in North Vancouver, and the other in Calgary. Your race doesn't mean too much to me.  Prefer to deal with people as just people and do not harbour any prejudices or favoritism towards any particular race.  Prefer to deal with people as individuals. If you and so many blacks (and Obama) in the USA want to keep playing racial politics then that is your choice - keep me out of it.    How Will This Election of Obama Influence Canada ?  It is hard to tell right now, but Harper will not find a soul mate with Barack Obama. Obama earlier on had some misgivings about free trade and NAFTA, but he did a flip flop. So it is hard to say what he believes now. He has been very typically American in his approach towards Canada - he has shown little interest or knowledge of Canada. So what else is new ?  He has said that his plan is to wean or reduce the USA dependence on foreign energy supplies, or foreign oil. Maybe Canada is not regarded as foreign to him, since we sure do sell them a lot of energy. What about all the billions of dollars USA businesses have invested in processing and upgrading Canadian bitumen and Canadian crude oil ?  Maybe to him we are not lumped in with the foreigners, or maybe he like so many others in the USA think Canada is just part of the USA - just a United Sates colony.    The USA remains a very divided country,  mired in debt with serious economic problems.  Obama won about 53 % of the vote, while McCain won about 46 % of the vote, which just shows the great divide in the USA.

Inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th USA President  by Ray Wegner Copy of the Inauguration Address by Obama and this writer's comments on it.  Did I write " inauguration "  - it should really read  " The Crowning of Barack Obama as the 44th USA President. "   And maybe the word " President "  should read  " King "   or  " Caesar."  The media hype was so thick and strong as to be unbelievable.   After reading the January 21st edition of the Calgary Herald - and reading about the inauguration story and some of the comments and reactions - something came over me that never happened before. It was historic. I was filled with a deep sense of embarrassment and shame. How can so many people be so naive, so ignorant, so misinformed, so mislead, so hoodwinked, so herd like - so sheep like and so just plain dumb ?  My faith in humanity took a real strong hit, and I doubt whether I will ever have much confidence in mankind again - anyways we are supposed to put out faith in God not in ourselves and in other small, weak, frail human beings.  The distortions and hype and misinformation is mind boggling. Let me just list some of the major ones that come to mind.  1. We are being told a new age had dawned (that is what a lot of the media is saying and a lot of ordinary people).  Huh ?  A new age ?   How on earth has the election of Obama and his inauguration brought us a new age ?  Where ?  When ?  How ?  What on earth has the man done to usher in a new age ?  I do not see any real fundamental change in the USA or anywhere else.  2. We are being fed the baloney that Obama being President of the USA shows us that this is the end of all that racial business in the USA - since a so-called black man is now President. When actually people's preoccupation with the racial issue shows me that racism is still very much alive over there. If race really didn't matter in the USA then the issue would hardly even be brought up. 3. The reaction of a lot of Canadians was instructive, and just a reflection of the colonial mentality of many Canadians. The new Emperor of the American Empire has been crowned and the little colonials in Canada were for the most part very, very impressed. Maybe there are some Canadians who actually think Obama is the President of Canada. I personally was not and am not impressed in the slightest with Obama and all the left wing media hype and spin that surrounds him. What did impress me immensely is the extent of public ignorance, the extent of the distortions, the extent of the misinformation, the willingness of many in the public to swallow the lies, the fluff, the hype and the phony optimism  - the  " hope a dope. " 4. It is practically all just personality, hype, style, image and feelings in regards to the great fanatic fans of Obama. So many were so very impressed - they liked the inauguration ceremonies, they were moved, they had a feelings of now we are going to be saved, they like his wife's clothes, and they loved the way he danced at one of the many fancy balls that the very well connected and very well heeled attended in Washington.  These sort of phenomenon is nothing much new. It is the tendency by many people to get caught in the hype (most of it generated by the mass media) of the moment.   When many other people are also having the same feelings it can be rather infectious, since man is a social creature by nature - and it is easy to get swept away with the mass feelings of the moment. It is right then and there one must reign in these feelings of going along with the herd - and use your mind and be rational and a little skeptical. Don't get caught up in the stampede.  This sort of mass hysteria has little to do with reality. It is the feelings of the hypnotized. And if enough people share the same hypnotic feelings this can lead people to believe almost anything - as long as enough other people share the same mass hysteria and the same beliefs. Thus reality is distorted, facts are ignored, and many of the unthinking and easily influenced people just swallow the snake oil. They just gulp it down, like a man dying of thirst, the  " Hope a dope "  peddled by the crafty peddlers of hope - men the likes of Obama.  Obama can promise them the moon and they believe. Obama can promise them the dawning of a new age and they believe, the renewing of America and they believe, and the overcoming of fear with hope and they believe. They believe because they want to believe. They believe because a drowning man will grasp at anything that floats.  What I see here is so many people (especially Americans) who are worried and perplexed by the difficulties the world and the USA is facing today, especially regarding the economy - and they are hoping that Obama will be the one who will fix things. They flocked to Washington to take in the feelings of the moment, hooked on the  " hope a dope ' peddled by the left wing mass media and their new hero - their new Messiah Barack Hussein Obama.  Folks we do not need anymore fake Messiahs - the world has seen enough of them already. We have seen too many of these Saviors who end up causing far more harm than good. We already have a real Savior and Messiah - and His name is The Word - the Son of God - Jesus Christ.    Inauguration Speech of United States President Barack Hussein Obama Provided for you now is a copy of the actual address of Obama. I want to analyze this speech and so my comments will be in dark green.    Inaugural Address By President Barack Hussein Obama     "  My fellow citizens:  I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you've bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.       " I thank President Bush for his service to our nation -- (applause) -- as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.      " Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.  The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace.  Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms.  At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents.       " So it has been; so it must be with this generation of Americans.           " That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood.  Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred.  Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.  Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered.  Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many -- and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. Ray's Comments - Who brought on these problems Barack ? Who got your country into all these wars ?  Who wrecked the economy ?  Why is health care too costly ? Why do schools fail too many ?  Isn't it the governments and too many of Americas other rulers and leaders who must take responsibility for these problems ?  So why try to shift the blame on to ordinary Americans ?  And why in the world should ordinary Americans feel sorry, or be made to feel guilty for using power and gas and oil ?       " These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics.  Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights. Ray's Comments - I would contend Barack the " the sapping of confidence across the land "  is the result of the misrule, incompetence, corruption, and backward policies of too many of the rulers and leaders of the United States - especially within government.         " Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real.  They are serious and they are many.  They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.  But know this America:  They will be met.  (Applause.)      " On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.  On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.  We remain a young nation.  But in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.  The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation:  the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.  (Applause.) Ray's Comments - nice sounding flowery words, but where is the plan, where are the specifics. Where is the strategy ?  Seems to me this is just more  hope a dope. Optimist and hope may be fine, but they need to be coupled with action. Faith without works is dead Barack. How will you achieve unity in a divided country ?  How are you and your administration going to end grievances, false promises, recriminations and worn out dogma ? How will you do these things ?   How will you bring more equality to your nation where a few wealthy control too much of the wealth and resources, and how will you bring freedom - when your country has over 2,000,000 of its citizens imprisoned ?         " In reaffirming the greatness of our nation we understand that greatness is never a given.  It must be earned.  Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less.  It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those that prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.  Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.  Ray's Comments  - now hold on there Barack. You are saying that it is the people of the United States who built the nation and made it great  and in your own words it was     " the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. "   No it is and was not so. It is God who gives us strength to gain riches. It is God who builds up and tears down nations. It is God who built the United States. He is the one who created the people, gives them food and the things they need to live.  It is God who made the United States great, because it is God keeping His birth right blessing promises to the tribe of Joseph - promises made thousands of years ago. The tribe of Joseph was divided into two - because Joseph had two sons in Egypt - Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel by God) was the Father of Joseph, and he officially adopted these two boys (Ephraim and Manasseh) the sons of Joseph.  And Jacob whose name was changed to Israel blessed the lads, and said  " let my name be named on them. "   Genesis 48:16 " The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them......." You can read the details of the birthright blessing by going to my web site What's In A Name.  Genesis 48: 16-19 " The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. " The descendants, or seed of Manasseh were to become a great nation. But Ephraim was to be even greater and grow into a multitude of nations. These are brothers. They both belong to the tribe of Joseph, but Joseph is now split into two - Manasseh and Ephraim. They are the recipients  of the birthright blessing given to Joseph.  Folks the United States is Manasseh - they fulfill this prophecy perfectly. It is God who made the USA so great. It is God who created the United States - but naturally He worked through His creation - He worked through the people to do it. Give glory to God - not to yourselves Obama.  Go to What's In A Name for the real story.      " For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.  For us, they toiled in sweatshops, and settled the West, endured the lash of the whip, and plowed the hard earth.  For us, they fought and died in places like Concord and Gettysburg, Normandy and Khe Sahn.       " Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.  They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions, greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.            " This is the journey we continue today.  We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth.  Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began.  Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week, or last month, or last year.  Our capacity remains undiminished.  But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed.  Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.  (Applause.) Ray's Comments - the United States is not the most prosperous nation on earth Obama. In fact the USA federal government is broke, and must borrow money from places like Communist China to pay its bills. The USA is one of the greatest debtor nations on earth here in 2009 with a combined public debt in Jan 2009 at   $ 10,618,718,703,374 dollars. That is just short of 11 trillion dollars. Additionally the USA ranks about 22nd as far are being rich is concerned the top ten go something like this - Vatican City, Sweden, Luxemburg, Monaco, Gibraltar, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Ireland.        " For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.  The state of our economy calls for action, bold and swift.  And we will act, not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.  We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.  We'll restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost.  We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.  And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.  All this we can do.  All this we will do. Ray's Comments -   ahem Barack .......Barack ....... hello.......earth to Barack, earth to Barack - do you hear me.  You say you will create new jobs, lay a new foundation for growth, build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed the USA commerce and bind you together,  restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost, harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel your cars and run your factories, transform your schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.    Could I ask a few question ?  When ? How ? And where will you get the money to fund this, since the USA is close to 11 trillion dollars in debt ?  Will you borrow the money from places like Communist China - will they want to keep pouring money into a country, that cannot seem to get it's fiscal house in order, and cannot seem to curb its massive government overspending  ?        " Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans.  Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.  What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply.           " The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.  Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward.  Where the answer is no, programs will end.  And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. Ray's Comments - so you Barack don't care whether the government is too big and too intrusive, and too costly, and too controlling. You just care if it helps Americans find jobs at a decent pay ....hmmm. So big government for you is  just fine. And silly me - why I thought that it was big government that was one of the biggest problems - silly, silly me.         " Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill.  Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched.  But this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control.  The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.  The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity, on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.  (Applause.) Ray's Comments - by golly finally something we can agree on Barack - good show.         " As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.  Our Founding Fathers -- (applause) -- our Founding Fathers, faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man -- a charter expanded by the blood of generations.  Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience sake.  (Applause.)          " And so, to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born, know that America is a friend of each nation, and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity.  And we are ready to lead once more.  (Applause.) Ray's Comments - Barack you still got the problem - you still got the problem - you want the USA to lead, which to much of the world really means you want to continue dominating them, and humiliating them, and exploiting and bullying countries and people's all around the world. And Barack - you may want to hold out your hand of friendship to all nations around the world, but many of these nations would prefer to cut that hand of friendship off. You do not seem to understand how hated the United States is in much of the world. You cannot be friends with those who do not want to be your friends.       " Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.  They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please.  Instead they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint. Ray's Comments  ........now hold on, hold on there Barack. Humility and restraint do not win wars, and defeat tyrants the likes of Hitler, and the evil Empire - The USSR. It takes money, resources, industrial power, guns, bombs, and superior military force, and better technology. And in the end it is God who really determines who will win or lose wars. So a nations greatest defense is its peoples willingness to follow God and His ways - the ways of honesty, truth, fairness, justice and mercy.       " We are the keepers of this legacy.  Guided by these principles once more we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort, even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.  We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.  With old friends and former foes, we'll work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. Ray's Comments - Barack you said  " With old friends and former foes, we'll work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. "   More grand, feel good, unrealistic, pie in the sky plans and schemes - and this just gives a lot of people unrealistic expectations that you will enable the world to rid itself of nuclear weapons, and you will help roll back global warming (and Barack the jury is still out whether we really are experiencing global warming, and if we are what exactly is causing it. Some suggest greater sunspot activity. Can you stop the sun from doing that to us Barack ? )         " We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense.  And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken -- you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.  (Applause.)       " For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.  We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers.  We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. Ray's Comments - Barack you say America is  " a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers. "  This statement is misleading just like so much you say. What are the facts Barack ?  The facts are that the vast majority of the USA population is of the Christian faith - about 78.5 %, and those of other religions comprise a very small minority like with Judaism 1.7 %. Muslim at  .6 %, Buddhist at .7 % and there are so few Hindus - that they hardly register. Yes there are around 12 % who are not affiliated with any particular religion. So your statements here are misleading. Most of the USA population remains very strongly professing Christian. Then why oh why have so many of the leaders of America turned their back on this Judeo-Christian heritage ?          " To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.  To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.  (Applause.) Ray's Comments - Barack many Muslims just regard you and most Americans as infidels. And what about Israel - the only real democracy in the Middle-East. How can you work with Islamic and Muslim nations, who refuse to recognize the rights of Israel to exist ? How will you deal with Hamas ?  Why is it that we here in Canada and the USA respect Muslims freedom of religion when they come here, and allow them to try and convert Christians over to Islam, yet in many Islamic and Arab, and Muslim countries it is against the law to preach about Jesus Christ in public, and illegal to try and convert Muslims over to Christianity ?          " To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.  (Applause.)      " To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.  And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect.  For the world has changed, and we must change with it. Ray's Comments - My, my ,my Barack you really should just think things through first a little better before approving such nonsense in your speeches.  There are plenty of poor to take care in your own country Obama. There are many farmers who are struggling in your own country. And why not clean up your own waters first, and what about malnutrition and lack of education in the good ole USA Barack - you seem to be like too many Canadian rulers, who want to save the world, but to hell with their own people, who are suffering - Canadians like me. Charity begins at home. And as far as you saying Americans have been indifferent to the sufferings outside their borders - no I do not agree. For sure there are a good number who are indifferent, but the reality is that generally speaking the USA and its people are probably one of the most generous of all towards poorer countries and other people's in their time of need. Maybe too generous sometimes - so generous that people start taking advantage of  the United States. Americans are extremely generous people in general terms. And this generosity is being taken advantage of by way too many foreigners and illegal aliens, and the governments are letting too many get away with it. The result is that ordinary Americans end up getting cheated by their own governments and by foreigners. This is wrong.  I feel that too many just want to take advantage of that generous spirit, and there are too many who take advantage of the United States, like with these over 11 million illegal aliens from places like Mexico. Why are your leaders and rulers allowing this foreign invasion to continue ?   In October of 2008 I and my family traveled into the USA for a holiday. We went through Montana, and camped out in Idaho. We also saw a bit of Washington State. The trip was not planned. We had been keeping the religious holydays the Feast of Tabernacles at Dinosaur Provincial park not far from Brooks, Alberta - we were tenting - camping out. The first night we had a terrible wind and rain storm that came in from the North - it raged all night long - I thought the tent would get blown over. We got wet. We dried out the next day, but the very next night was very, very, cold, and the tent heater we had did nothing to ward off the bitter cold - I almost froze, and I'm pretty tough. So I said to the family - lets head south and warm up.  So I decide to go into the USA and we motor on down to the Coutts - Sweetgrass,  (Alberta-Montana)  Border crossing. I thought we would be treated cordially and with hospitality, and that we would very quickly be on our way. Not so.  They began asking all kinds of questions - searching our car, treating us as if we were some common criminals, and just giving me especially a hard time. Maybe they are used to those quiet meek Canadians who are too polite, or maybe too afraid to speak up.  Well I am not going to put up with abuse and bullying, and I'm not your typical overly polite Canadian.  I told them custom and border guards that if they don't want me to come over into their country, and just drive around a bit, camp out and spend my money - well there are plenty of people here in Canada who would be quite glad to take my money. I was all ready to head for British Columbia, and told them so. I don't need that bullshit - I can spend my money here in Canada. And I mentioned all the illegal aliens in the USA from Mexico, who just walk across the Texas border like deer. 11 million illegal aliens in the USA !!!  Yet here they are harassing me a honest Canadian, a guy who just wants to head South to get warm, and spend my money. You guys don't like my money - well I'll just spend it here at home then.  And then I piped up and told them that they should stop harassing law abiding people like me, and the authorities in Canada and the USA should do something about all the drugs being smuggled into the USA from Canada - like with all the marijuana being smuggled in from British Columbia. Why don't you guys do something about all the illegal drugs being smuggled in from BC, instead of harassing law abiding people  like me ? -  I asked them.  I wasn't  finished. Then I ask them why is it that next year in 2009,  if I as a Canadian want to travel into the USA (once again to spend my money) I need to have a passport, which will cost around $ 100 dollars per person ?  Why is it that I need to spend  $100 dollars for a passport, while the Mexicans just walk across the Texas border like deer. And there are four in our family - and this comes to around $ 400 dollars - we can't afford that.  The USA customs lady asked me - " Could you tell me what an honest person looks like ? " And she did have a point you know, but I was in a fighting mood. And she said that the USA is a foreign country for Canadians after all. Funny you know. I am not welcome and am harassed at the border, but the American government sure seems to like Alberta oil, and Alberta natural gas - but as for me Ray Wegner - I'm not very welcome.  Anyways they begrudged let us in, but the lady said she could have refused us. We all had proper ID on us - all four of us.  I almost never travel into the USA, and have only been there a couple of times before - once to visit some relatives in Salem, Oregon back in the early 1980's and once before when we just drove across the Montana border for a day trip.  I was really pissed off, and in a real bad mood as we headed on into Montana. The wind was blowing fiercely and blowing the tumbleweeds across the highway. The wind was so angry like I was. We drive on through Montana that day, and into Idaho, and end up finding a camping site about 30 miles North of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho at Farragut State Park. The park is right next to Lake Pend Oreille. We were warm as toast at night, and enjoyed good weather throughout our stay there.  I had resolved to never again travel into the USA again - unless I absolutely had to like on business or I was forced to, or someone paid me to. I was not impressed really. Spokane did not impress - Calgary is way bigger.  One day I decided to once again go to Spokane - so I drove on down. As we were there while driving I just out of curiosity decided to go a little west of Spokane on the Interstate. By the way the Interstate is a great highway - very well maintained and real smooth.  We all assumed the forests and trees just continued all the way to the Coast, but a funny thing happened on the way. The trees began getting thinner and thinner, and less and less. Now I was really curious. What the hell I though to myself - I always had just assumed that Washington State was part of the Pacific Northwest so naturally was thickly forested throughout. Yet here I'm driving along and the forests end, and we find ourselves on a bloody prairie. And the wind is blowing strong and the land seems to have some sort of volcanic rock all over so much so that the ranchers have to punch steel fence posts into the hard rock like land. And the wind is almost blowing us over, and the rocky barren like prairie stretches out West and South as far as the eye could see !!  How this is real country - real prairie. I was really surprised and amazed and more curious than ever. My previous perception of  Washington State was all wrong. What else about the USA did I have misconceptions about ?    Prairies west of Spokane, Washington State    We were running out of time, and got as far as a dusty little town called Sprague, which really intrigued me. I loved it. We stopped for lunch in a little restaurant, where we met some really fine, and friendly folks - real Americans - the pleasant helpful waitress was a lady from Alaska. We all loved it - now this is real country. I would have loved to just go a lot further west, but we were running out of time. My negative feelings of the USA began to evaporate. What an amazing land. What else don't I know about the place ?     Main street of Sprague,     We also traveled out to Sandpoint, Idaho - the birthplace of my America heroine Sarah Palin who was the running mate of John McCain, and is the incumbent Governor of Alaska. I specifically wanted to go to Sandpoint, out of admiration and respect for Sarah Palin.   Tourist Ray Wegner - at Sand Point, Idaho  Sandpoint, Idaho - USA While over there I listened quite a bit to the radio and the talk shows, because it was during the Presidential election campaign. I was very curious. I found out there were many Americans who were so deeply, deeply angry with the government for bailing out greedy Wall Street Bankers, and for mismanaging the economy and just so very upset and angry with how things were going in their country.  Anyways we left that part of America and came home to Alberta, but I came away with a different point of view about America. I land is amazing and I like the people. We met and saw ordinary Americans, and were treated well by them. They were friendly and helpful, and just regular folks - ten times better than those miserable government workers at the border. I'd love to see more of he USA sometime, but cannot afford it  - especially cannot afford that $ 400 dollars for passports for all of the family.      Continuing the Inaugural address by President Barack Hussein Obama    " As we consider the role that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who at this very hour patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains.  They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are the guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service -- a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.       " And yet at this moment, a moment that will define a generation, it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.  For as much as government can do, and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.  It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours.  It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child that finally decides our fate.      " Our challenges may be new.  The instruments with which we meet them may be new.  But those values upon which our success depends -- honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old.  These things are true.  They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.       " What is demanded, then, is a return to these truths.  What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept, but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.         " This is the price and the promise of citizenship.  This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.  This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall; and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served in a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.  (Applause.)   Ray's Comments - more misleading talk. Your Father was never descended from slaves in the United States. Your Father was from Kenya, and he never even lived in the USA 60 years ago. The black side of your heritage never had anything to do with slavery in America.        " So let us mark this day with remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled.  In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river.  The capital was abandoned.  The enemy was advancing.  The snow was stained with blood.  At the moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words to be read to the people:       "Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive... that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."      " America:  In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words.  With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come.  Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.      " Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America. "    (Applause.) Ray's Comments - why is it that you never thanked God for His providence, and for His blessing and for the good land He gave you and your people ? Yet you call for His blessings ?  Are you like too many of our hypocritical Canadian rulers, who pay lip survive to God, but ignore Him and His ways.  Mailing Address:   Ray Wegner   P.O. Box 475   Stn. Main   Calgary, Alberta  T2P-2J1 Telephone   (403) 274-5253               E-mail     Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms and Fundamental Freedoms (from the Canadian Constitution) " The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: (a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and (d) freedom of association. " This web site built, designed, and owned by Ray Wegner        18/08/10        Back