Why the Churches Can't Keep the Pews Full

Ever since Vatican II, church attendance has been visibly decreasing. Fewer men and women are becoming ordained, Christian schools are closing or merging, and less and less people come to regular service. While participation in these organizations has been fading in modern countries like the US, 3rd world countries have been filled with religious zeal. As these occurrences are examined, Marx's ideas on the sedative characteristics of religion stick out: Religion gives hope to the man without a chance. In America and other countries with high standards of living, many people live comfortably with hope. However, loyal attendees of local services show us that there's more to Church than escaping 'fire and brimstone'.
During the Middle ages when most people were serfs on a fief, they had little to look forward to in life, except the afterlife. Today, 3rd world countries are hotbeds of the Christian faith. It's easy to see that throughout the ages, people experiencing a low standard of living have flocked to the Church for hope. Karl Marx called religion the "opium of the masses,"* indicating how hope of the afterlife allows one to accept the unfairness of life. It's obvious that whenever humanity has needed hope, humanity has clinged to the church to escape their pains in life. In addition, people have often looked to God when we need help. For instance, whenever we need something - whether it be strength, patience, or a steady job - do not we not immediately look to God?
So in a society where man consistently needs less and lives in a much more optimistic world, is religion practical? Your neighbors who attend mass regularly say yes. While the traditional tangible thoughts of hell and bad times once played a central role in people's faith, nowadays people attend for spiritual, not physical, enrichment. People need to remember that Church is not just a way to escape hell, but to better their lives.
The Church teaches that morality is necessary for salvation. I know that morality is necessary for true happiness.
* BrainyQuote.com; 2007 BrainyMedia.com; http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/k/karl_marx.html

The Possibility of a Palestinian State?

As President Bush toured the Middle East, a main issue has been Israeli-Palestinian Relations. Ever since the creation of Israel on May 14 1948, tensions between the Arab and Israeli states have been high, marked by many wars, such as the Arab-Israeli War. To ease these problems, President Bush and other World leaders want to create a completely autocratic Palestinian state. However, many cities in Israel are considered holy by Arabs, but are controlled by Jews. Jerusalem, for instance, is considered holy by both peoples, but it is controlled by the Jews. Due to the bad relationships caused by these territorial claims, necessary imports coming into Palestine, like medications, have been slowed by Israel. Separating these people is unfair and spurs on violence. However, a friend of mine commented that if grouped together the two peoples would kill each other, but what are they doing right now? If you look back in American History, there have always been tensions between blacks and whites, but through perseverance, racism is no longer a major problem.
The bottom line: integration of these two people might cause initial violence. However, there would be no purpose in fighting over holy sites, where most violence is derived. While Extremists may still exist, we cannot let these two separate to simply grow in hatred of each other.
Sources: Wikipedia.org keyword "Israel"

Keeping Our Head Above Water - Why We Need Change & Why It Isn't Coming

In my previous article I outlined a plan to help America become more independent and secure and our government more profitable. Now I am going to discuss why we can't be in competition with China and why we still will be.

According to the General Administration of Customs, last year, Chinese exports to America increased from "25.7 percent to US$1.2 trillion, while imports rose 20.8 percent to US$955.8 billion."* In addition the US has a "$232.5 billion trade deficit"* with China. Their ability to produce cheaper products has caused most companies abandon the US. America, once known for exporting to around the world has been overpowered. Unfortunately, no tax breaks or innovation incentives like Mitt Romney has suggested will be able to equalize the playing field. While these things help, an American would never work for the amount of money that most Chinese factory workers receive. The China Daily reported in 2005 that the minimum wage in Shanghai and Shenzhen, for instance, was $77 and $83 a month**. That's $924 and $996 a year along with the fact that the number of hours worked in that month isn't dictated. In America, it would be illegal to pay a factory worker that much. Regardless of lowered costs, China's workforce is purely more economical than ours.
However, using the plan outlined in my previous article would result in not just gains, but also losses. Many people, for instance, would lose their jobs and that scares the nation, even though more manufacturing jobs would be opened. In addition, most businesses in or partially operating in China and similar countries would be upset at these taxes. Due to this change and the urgings of major companies, it is unlikely the country would ever be able to make this jump to easily. Just remember, be wary of candidate's promises on trade and make sure they explore the possible effects of their ideas.

* Tapei Times; Saturday, January 12 2008, page 10 http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worldbiz/archives/2008/01/12/2003396840

**China Daily; June 1, 2005; http://www.china.org.cn/english/2005/Jun/130709.htm

Keeping Our Head Above Water - Our Economy and Romney's Plan

With the Presidential Primaries in Michigan on Tuesday and Mitt Romney desperate for a win, he has been running television ads aimed at economic issues, a major topic due to economic woes in the State. Once known for its worldwide manufacturing prowess, the state home to the Motor City has not been faring well. The Big Three - GM, Ford, and Chrysler - have nearly bowed out to Toyota, a Japanese Auto Manufacturer. Because many towns were centered around production plants, the entire economy of many cities has gone awry. Coupled with oursourcing IT and other jobs, Michigan needs help. Romney calls for lowered taxes on big business and more incentives for innovation in order to compete in the global market. However, lowering taxes does not help a government plagued by War debt and may cause a reverse Tax War, where countries in Asia and US lower taxes continually in order to keep our businesses going overseas. Instead we should increase taxes on imports coming in.
While this may be bad for companies with plants in foreign countries, this will not only help our government, but also our economy.
First, it's obvious to see that raising taxes helps replenish government funds and that the only businesses taxed are those working out of cheaper countries. This would be a good way to make up for War debt as opposed to raising the income tax. In addition, if income taxes are raised to pay off debt, this could cause a decrease in spending and consequently hurt the economy.
However, this could cause a tax war, where the countries that export to America also raise taxes on imports coming to their country, causing some mixed effects. Because American demand needs to be filled, the loss of the foreign market would force consumers to buy American. An American company that sells steel to Japan for building Cars, for instance, would lose profits because increased taxes on Japanese Cars has lost them business. Conversely, the company would gain business from the increasing Auto industry in America, creating only more jobs in the American auto industry. Unfortunately, if countries whose goods we have raised taxes on, raise taxes on us, then American businesses, like agriculture, whose field of demand lies in those countries would suffer.
There would be ups and downs, but this would make American more independent, stop Asia and other countries from taking over our market, and ensure our government gets its fair share. While some businesses may be upset over the loss of the dirt cheap labor, this keeps the US market from competing with China's juggernaut labor force. Romney's plan would aid in this competition, but there is no security and our government would not be getting the funds it needs to repay its debts.
Note: I am hoping to write a small follow up on the possible effects of this plan on other countries.

New Hampshire Primaries - Duh

How could I have so silly. I totally forgot about McCain in New Hampshire when I wrote about my prediction. Now it's the night of and here I am realizing that my previous article has nothing about him. As seen in the poll's and after his comments about Romney in the Republican Debate, McCain is a deadlock for the conservative New Hampshire. In addition, after Romney was torn apart by McCain on the debate, I expect an even worse finish from him. I even made the mistake of saying Giuliani would win when he has not been campaigning. I must have mixed them up. Once again, I am very sorry I wrote an article with so little thought or research.

Huckabee for President?

While Huckabee beat out his closest competitor by 9% at the Iowa caucus, his followers shouldn't get too excited. An Associated Press estimate said 30 to 50 percent of repubilicans going to the caucus were Evangelical Christians*. Huckabee's success in this state came from his religous beliefs. In addition, he also leads the polls in South Carolina which has a large evangelical population. However, since Giuliani did not actively campaign in Iowa, he was not accounted for how much he will split the votes of candidates like Romney in the next caucuses. On the other hand, with not so good finishes from candidates like Thompson, it can be expected that some candidates will drop out of the race which will most likely add more votes to candidates like Romney or Giuliani. My prediction for New Hampshire: Giuliani with Romney in a spacious second and Huckabee trailing Romney.
*http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071221/30589_Iowa_Republicans_Rank_Abortion_as_Top_Issue.htm