Tucson Sammy

It is not news that City of Tucson revenues are way down. Sales taxes account for 42% of discretionary spending, and they have dropped off significantly, with no relief predicted in the near future.

In response, the City has cut back in the areas of hiring, training, and travel. It has also “slashed 10 percent of what it gives social services groups,” according to a local daily.

I have an idea. How about slashing 100 percent of what it gives to social service groups? It would be timely in light of the current budget problems, and no, I’m not suggesting that charities and non-profits not receive funding. I’m suggesting that they be funded directly by the people. Private donations are usually based on the institution’s performance. Government donations are based on politics. Besides, if you let the government make your donation decisions for you, the next thing you know, they’ll be choosing your light bulbs for you.

Seriously, is it not somewhat dehumanizing when the City infringes on the realm of giving? When you freely give your money to a worthy cause, your karma improves and your character is strengthened. When you give other people’s money to a worthy cause, you receive no such benefits.

If you think that people only do the right thing when forced to do so, then you will find free societies frustrating.

My family and I had a delightful Thanksgiving Day. People from grandparents to small children were in attendance. All expressed gratitude for living in the same town, where we can all come together. I am certainly grateful for that, and our Tucson community, and for our nation.

Thanksgiving Day by itself, however, is incomplete. It is an annual event during which we come together to give thanks collectively. The compliment to that, is our daily prayers and meditations with which we give thanks individually. It is a dynamic, a synergy, that strengthens our spirit.

We certainly would not want to attend weekly worship services, just to forget God in our daily lives; nor would we want to pray and meditate in isolation, without experiencing Him through our fellows. Oliver Wendel Holmes said, “My religion can be summed up in the first two words of the Lords Prayer.” It is a beautiful and concise summation of the relation of God and man.

I endeavor to pray and meditate every day. I fall short of that goal, but I never forget it. I always include a prayer of thanks.

I was given a wonderful suggestion once. If I wanted to think of more things for which I was grateful, all I had to do was think of things for which I was proud, then substitute the word “grateful” for the word “proud”. It worked well for me, and helped develop a little humility as well.