So occasionally I like to step back a bit and make sure my philosophy is in line with long term goals. Primarily among these goals is to insure that my daughter gets the chance to live in a world that offers much the same types of opportunities and experiences that I have enjoyed. Now this primary goal requires that you, the simple reader, understand that the opportunities and experiences in my life have not been particularly special. That I have not been born to a wealthy family that was able to provide for my every want. That I have no particular disadvantages, besides a moderate colorblindness, to impede the things I may strive for. And that I have not ever been outstandingly lucky, that I have not by chance achieved anything significant (I take my wonderful, smart, loving wife as the sole exception to this).
That this primary goal can only be achieved through the active participation of the political system to which I was luckily born, here in the United States of America. I will not pander to those who subscribe to the wholesale disenfranchisement of the people by pointing out the minority of my individual position. I am but one person, my position may only represent that small fraction of the whole population, which may be difficult to express through a populist system.
But I shall not lose hope that I can do everything in my own personal sphere of power to achieve my goals. And I can hope higher still, that if my goals are not evidently within the comprehension and empathy of wider audience, that my labors and my voice shall show the virtue and value of what I espouse.
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So occasionally I like to step back a bit and make sure my philosophy is in line with long term goals. Primarily among these goals is to insure that my daughter gets the chance to live in a world that offers much the same types of opportunities and experiences that I have enjoyed. Now this primary goal requires that you, the simple reader, understand that the opportunities and experiences in my life have not been particularly special. That I have not been born to a wealthy family that was able to provide for my every want. That I have no particular disadvantages, besides a moderate colorblindness, to impede the things I may strive for. And that I have not ever been outstandingly lucky, that I have not by chance achieved anything significant (I take my wonderful, smart, loving wife as the sole exception to this).
That this primary goal can only be achieved through the active participation of the political system to which I was luckily born, here in the United States of America. I will not pander to those who subscribe to the wholesale disenfranchisement of the people by pointing out the minority of my individual position. I am but one person, my position may only represent that small fraction of the whole population, which may be difficult to express through a populist system.
But I shall not lose hope that I can do everything in my own personal sphere of power to achieve my goals. And I can hope higher still, that if my goals are not evidently within the comprehension and empathy of wider audience, that my labors and my voice shall show the virtue and value of what I espouse.
That my government may not always represent the best interests of the people at large. That I understand that it is often necessary and always within my power to personally pursue the goal of prosperity and happiness for our progeny and ourselves. That every day I must look deeply inward, and say what I can do to better myself and my people. To remove us from dependence on those who do hold ill will against us. To fight the addictions of consumerism that lead us to sacrifice our future freedom and financial stability for our current convenience and wants. To be an example of independence, an example of freedom, and a bastion against the forces that would rob us of both.
That maybe one day, my dear daughter, the light in my eyes, may be proud to call me the father that made it possible for her to enjoy the world at least as much as I have.
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I went into a public library to quickly check the weather at a public terminal and what did I see on the desktop? Openoffice.org and a couple of GPL applications.