From the Greek phrase “to call a fig a fig and a trough and trough” attributed to Plutarch, meaning to speak plainly and directly about something that was later mistranslated into Latin by “Erasmus” replacing “fig” and “trough” with “spade”. Bottom line it is the act of speaking honestly even if unpleasant, expressively without euphemisms. It is time to call a spade a spade.

There is a power play in place that is beyond the understanding or even which most Americans can fathom. Why? It is because most of the US’s population has no knowledge or understanding of the history of the world or the history of economic thought. The hedonistic traits that bring a culture to this point in time is based on a self-preservation saying, “that only the strong will survive”. The world population has become so ignorant that they can be “hood winked” or lied to and they have no way to disprove the lie, so they believe it. There are several ways to verify what I say, and it starts with what we hear and believe in our everyday exchanges with folks we love and trust. For the young child it is what it hears at home. Later it is what he hears at school. For those of us in the bible belt it is what we hear from the pulpit. What is most important for me to communicate to you via his platform is for you to believe that the strongest trait which drives an individual is for personal gain or self-preservation. Hedonism is key. A mindset of “what is in it for me?” Welcome to America!

When I drill down on this question of self-preservation there are hundreds of paths one can take. I am going to try to stay with someone who is more concerned with ensuring the survival of those they love then the survival of they themselves. I believe this world would be a much better place if an individual worried more about those they love then themselves. After being with the same “significant other” for decades I have come to the conclusion that the survival and happiness of those I love is more important than my own survival. To switch gears, I would ask a patriot going to war, would you give up your life for your country as easily as you would for your significant other. The truth is we are brain washed by those who we trust to be concerned with the love of our country than for our own success and survival. I say brain washed because no one who is truly concerned for my better welfare would send me somewhere where losing my life is assured. Yet it is happening every day and in most cases for no good reason. At least not for one that benefits all of humanity. Thus, it is survival of the fittest at the expense of another human being.

In the conflict with Russia and Ukraine the North Korean dictator sent troops to assist in the war and they were quickly dispatched by Ukraine and the leadership that sent those troops there was very much convinced that would probably happen. As a North Korean patriot was convinced that they were doing the right thing for the cause it has to be said they were brain washed and used. Indeed, they were, leaving loved one and children behind. It is shameful for one person to send another to die for their own better welfare or egotism. The United States is being brain washed and more importantly being pit one against each other. Families are in conflict for the better welfare of a very few. Starting with an autocrat who knows many are going to die for their egotism. It is time that we all wake up to the fact that survival of the fittest does not mean you sacrifice yourself for anyone but a loved one if necessary but not for anyone or anything else. From my desk I see no need for battle. The US especially has resources to barter with. Our role should be that all those needing to barter with us must take care of their citizens basic needs first.

Aside: Who are your loved ones? In my world I have my close circle of friends and loved ones. Those who share my blood line are first in line. Secondly are my closest neighbors and friends. Thirdly my community, county, city and state. The preservation of my country not above all but much in the mix. Who am I willing to sacrifice my life for are the ones who would sacrifice their all for me. Let me say that again, “those who would sacrifice their life for me”. Do you care a flip about me? Therein lies the rub, we do not care a flip about everyone on this earth. We are having a hard time getting along as neighbors. There are those who are trying hard to keep us feuding. It is time to stop. It is time to see the truth about who it is that is keeping us divided instead of working hard to unite us. What you feel is right or wrong can be put into the opinion page of your local newspaper or on social media but not cause you to chainsaw your neighbors political yard sign or burn his car.

It was the need to cut excessive government spending that swayed the 2024 election. What is interesting is that many folks did not realize they were benefiting from the, so called, excessive spending. Now that many are laid off the truth hits home. Please know that your sacrifice for your country is at the expense of your most cherished friends and family. Is it worth giving up the security of your family to add another billion dollars to the very rich. I say it is better to sacrifice everything for your loved ones by knowing who it is that is getting your hard-earned paycheck. Can you get to the point where you are going someplace in a used car rather than a brand new one. Can you drink water instead of beer. Can you eat hamburger instead of steak. The sooner the population of America learns to insure each of your loved one and neighbors have basic needs, only then should you have the option to splurge. Those that we elect to represent us “we the people” have to make sure everyone in his/her district, state etc., is getting the basic needs of survival provided and no one is dying due to lack of healthcare, nourishment, shelter or love. All of these needs are basic physiological necessities.

For many of you it is easier to give to the church, United Way, World Vision or UNICEF. No complaints on using that channel of helping, but we are in a situation today where we need to give closer to home. We currently have an administration that is cutting help to the world and hopefully use it for you and your loved ones. Truth be told the US has the ability to feed everyone that is hungry throughout the world. Some of you will agree that those budget cuts are to keep the filthy rich from paying little if no taxes and kick the can down the road for you and me to pick up. Whatever your situation I think you can look around your own circle of friends and family and confess there are many citizens out there who are hurting through no fault of their own. I ask you give to folks you can actually see benefiting from your generosity. If you keep up with HPLA you will see that we try to report to those who give exactly where we are using their gifts. Also, we are sure to communicate that no overhead cost is paid for from private donations. We have no other revenue stream but yours. All we are able to do is done by volunteers and all the gifts received are used to help our clients only. please let us keep doing well. Please give. www.hplacharities.org/donate

Protest the inhuman actions that are taking place under democracy when in reality is hedonistic action to benefit a very few. The avarice!