F t th St t f th U ion?

As the current partial government shutdown – now the longest in our nation’s history - continues to remain in effect, a feeling of precariousness seemingly shrouds our collective national consciousness

This past week, the determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address ” she wrote She went on to suggest that perhaps the President could simply submit his “address in writing ” A practice espoused by Presidents from Thomas Jefferson to Woodrow Wilson President Wilson was the first in the modern era to deliver the State of the Union address to Congress in person, establishing a norm that would hold true to our present time Perhaps until now

Some welcomed her words, arguing in favor of abolishing this yearly tradition altogether “ The event has long since curdled into the exact kind of partisanship it is supposed to transcend,” wrote Jeff Greenfield in Politico.“It’s rituals more of a papering-over of our political rancor than a moment that genuinely brings us together”

While questions remain regarding the efficacy of such speeches, the necessity of the address originates in the Constitution As outlined in Article II, Section 3, the President “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient ” The State of the Union offers a chance for the President to cast his or her vision for America, calling upon Congress to adopt certain legislative priorities and initiatives, all while appealing to the American public

It is inevitable that such an event would offer the President a chance to practice the art of political spin Or to indulge in subtle (or not so subtle) rhetorical flourishes filled with self-aggrandizing words Inevitably, partisanship emerges, visually tracked by which side of the chamber rises in ovation, and which side remains seated Admittedly, this ritual is filled with a bit of inanity, both sides eager to use the forum to advance their own agenda.

Yet the importance of symbolism inherent in this event should not be ignored Such addresses are watched by countries around the world A well-crafted speech can be used to send a message, to project an image of strength or unity Such a display is still useful on the world stage, another tool in an diplomacy r future ns abroad nt can use all rtunity to ty This o a weary mes of of having sitting in the as one body sident deliver do we see all rnment official me I watched dress I came of age during the Bush years, watching as America fought two wars abroad and grappled with large domestic problems here at home Despite the uncertainty felt during the early 2000’s, there was something about watching this address each January that provided a bit of stability After all, some semblance of solace can be derived from long-standing traditions Each year, one watches as the members file into the chamber You wonder why you have tuned in, what the excitement is all about. Until you hear the Sergeant at Arms announce, “Mr Speaker, the President of the United States ” In that moment, regardless of personal feelings regarding the current occupant of the Oval Office, you freeze Here walks the President of the United States

The magic of the moment is not dependent upon the person walking down the aisle The majesty of the office transcends any individual It speaks to the longevity of the United States of America, reassures us all that despite the trouble facing our nation, the “state of our Union is strong ” A statement not based upon circumstances or policies, personalities or parties; but, based upon the power of the American spirit, and the sense that the American people will work tirelessly towards collectively building a stronger union

Regardless of how the story unfolds this January, any attempts to permanently abolish the State of the Union address would harm our democracy The Presidency is unlike any elected office in our democratic system; and, as such, should automatically garner respect Any President elected by the people, regardless of whether he or she received our individual vote, deserves the honor of addressing us in a formal manner While change is necessary, some conventions should remain. As Tevye says in Fiddler on the Roof, “Without our traditions, our life would be as shaky as a Fiddler on the Roof!”

And isn’t life shaky enough already?

Samuel Moore-Sobel is a freelance writer To read more of his work, visit www holdingontohopetoday com

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How to avoid buyer's remorse when purchasing a car

Hey Taylor - I’m looking to buy a new car but I’m having a lot of trouble pulling the trigger Any advice/strategy for spending this kind of money and avoiding buyer’s remorse?

Hey Lucy - This can be a really tough decision When it comes down to it, there’s no proven way to get the perfect car for the perfect amount of money, because we all have different incomes and different needs The best way to ensure you don’t instantly regret the buy is to focus on meeting as many of your needs as possible

How much can you spend? The surest way to feel buyer’s remorse is going beyond your means You need to have a very clear idea of how much you can afford and which vehicles fit within your budget Now, everyone’s budget will look different on the day of purchase I’d love it if you paid in cash, but I understand financing might be a necessity You have to gauge how much you can afford up front and how quickly you can pay off a loan A bigger down payment always means better terms, so don’t consider extending the payment period in order to save a few bucks walking off the lot Above all, crunch the numbers thoroughly before you start shopping around

What do you need? When it comes to car buying, there’s an enormous gap between need and want. You

Living with children

might want a 4-door, those extra doors rea couple thousand doll there are all the other - are you going to us work, do you take fre trips, do you need en for a family and carg much will you be abl in gas each month, e list of amenities that important to you, and then make sure you give those priorities over the nifty functions and sleek lines of the cars you see on the lot Don’t let your wants beat out your needs!

Think outside the box Part of the problem might be feeling like you have to purchase from a dealership and you worry about getting swindled Have you asked around to see if friends, family or coworkers have cars for sale? Have you checked local listings and then gone to meet with individual sellers? If going this route, I usually find it well worth the hundred dollars it cost for a mechanic to look it over to ensure everything is in order Make sure you exhaust all the options before going the traditional route

Buying a car is a big event, and I think it’s good that you’re feeling a little anxiety Turn that apprehension into caution and I’m sure you’ll find the right deal Good luck, Lucy!

Taylor Kovar - Family Man. Wealth Manager. Author. Speaker. Serial Entrepreneur. Travel Lover Chick-Fil-A Fanatic Kovar is the CEO and founder of Kovar Capital Management LLC of Lufkin, Texas.

Single One Of Us

There is “parenting” and then there is bringing up, rearing, or raising children The difference is night and day; so are the outcomes, short- and longterm, to all concerned, meaning every

Parenting is what the vast majority of American parents have been doing since the early 1970s It is constituted of putting children center-stage; paying them inordinate, often fawning attention; being in near-constant childoriented activity; and generally behaving as if the world revolves not only around but also because of them Parenting is arranging playdates beginning in early toddlerhood; throwing lavish birthday parties every twelve months (beginning at twelve months); asking children what they want to eat, where they want to sit, and what they want to do next; talking to them incessantly and for no apparent reason other than to talk to them; dispensing effusive praise for every little thing they do; being a playmate-on-demand; helping them with their homework; driving them from one supposedly enriching activity to another; and going to great lengths to ensure they do not experience frustration, hardship, defeat, failure, insult, rejection, unhappiness or anything else that goes along with living an authentic life

Parenting is the vain attempt to emancipate a child who is unburdened by any problems, deficits, weaknesses, shortcomings, faults and (needless to say) is guaranteed to never make any big mistakes Parenting is hiring tutors, elite coaches and private instructors to remediate, accelerate, and cultivate Adults who “parent” occupy the roles of mommy and daddy nearly 24/7 until their children leave home (the when of which is anyone’s best guess).

By contrast, to raise, rear, or bring up a child is to lift said youngster out of childhood into genuine adulthood; to focus on character rather than achievement; to instill respect for others and love of neighbor (as opposed to selfesteem); to mold the emotionallydriven young child into a rational, responsible, emotionally-resilient, self-controlled adult Parents who raise children allow their kids to experience controlled doses of frustration, hardship, etc The parents in question also prioritize the roles of husband and wife They are macro-managers Their approach to child rearing is minimalistic, which is why they truly enjoy it (as do their kids).

In recent weeks, I’ve seen signs –as small as they may be – that parenting may be running its course. I’ve talked with several young parents, for example, who are patiently teaching their toddlers to walk alongside them (usually holding their hands) and not reach out and attempt to handle everything and anything that attracts their attention This as opposed to rolling children as old as five through public places in portable thrones

And then, lo and behold, I saw a 20-month-old child drinking out of an open cup that he was holding on his own, as 20-month-olds are perfectly capable of doing (and, therefore, should be doing) And to top it off, he was drinking water as opposed to sweetened, turquoisecolored junk WATER! What a concept! And to top that off, he did not spill a drop because, as his proud mother told me, he’s been drinking from open cups since he was 15 months old At the onset, he spilled, but water doesn’t stain and through trial-and-error he quickly mastered the skill “Socalled training cups train nothing but carelessness,” she said, displaying wisdom beyond her years

The Great American Parenting Experiment has been ongoing for some fifty years now, to the benefit of no one Child mental health is in the loo, mothers are anxious and stressed, the American marriage is but a shadow of its preparenting self, and many teachers spend more time dealing with entitlement-related behavior problems than teaching

Parenting has come at a high cost to all of us It’s time to Make Childrearing Great Again!

Family psychologist John Rosemond: johnrosemond.com, parentguru com

John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of family psychology In 1971, John earned his masters in psychology from Western Illinois University and was elected to the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society