“IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS”
Psalm 100, Colossians 3:14-17
Dr. Dennis Ginoza November 18, 2012 2:00 p.m.
Rancho Monserate

     Sometime ago at a church where I had served, I sent a thank you note to one of the members. Later she said to me, “Dennis, you’re the first pastor who ever sent me a thank you note.” Wow! How interesting I thought. ( As children we learn there are two important words: Please! and Thank You!

     The apostle Paul said, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.” (Col. 3:14-17)

     Once there was a elderly man who went to the post office. He asked the clerk, “Sir, will you write this address on my postcard?” “Gladly,” said the clerk. “Is there anything I can do for you?” The old man thought for a moment. “Yes,” he said, add this to the end: ‘P.S. Please excuse the handwriting.’”  Dale Carnegie would say, “That’s not the way to make friends."

      How many of you have been to Maine? …… We were just there. It is full of trees. 90% of the state is made up of trees. Our son Jeremy has a fellowship and he is studying … it’s a technical study…”neuromuscloskeletal medicine. He, Melanie, and Kenan are well settled. Did you know Maine is the second highest producer of maple syrup, second to Vermont. With all those trees, I’d say, Maine has the healthiest air in America. We thank God for trees.

A POEM
I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree. -- Joyce KIlmer (1886-1918)

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

     Remember Helen Keller, she was born blind, deaf, and mute. She once said, “I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during the early adult life. It would make him more appreciative of sight and and the joys of sound.”

     Will you close your eyes for a moment and just listen? (Ringing of bells.) Genesis teaches us that everything begins with God. Revelation teaches us that everything ends with God.

 Let us never forget the goodness of God. 
     For each new morning with its light,
     For rest and shelter of the night,
     For health and food, For love and friends,
     For everything Thy goodness sends. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

     In America we have so much, we have garbage disposals, we have so much, we pay rental for storage, we have so much, we want more, we have so much, we complain about waiting in line at the bank and the grocery store. We just need to be more grateful!

      Jesus healed ten lepers. Only one came back to thank him. He fell at Jesus feet and thanked him. Jesus asked, “What happened to the other nine?” (Luke 17:11-19) Jesus came to change this world. And he taught us, for the world to change, it comes down to changing the human heart.

     When I was in college I was an optimist. I decided I wanted to change the world so I joined the Peace Corps. As Peace Corps volunteers we were successful in planning two leadership seminars and got the vice president of Costa Rica to bring a message. I was successful 3 in helping three communities to get the government to help them with building an airstrip. When I met with the people, they said, “We have the land and we will clear the land with our machetes. We got it done. I was proud of it and I was humbled by it. But, I have come to this conclusion that unless we change the hearts of people, the world will not change. The politics of change is in the human heart. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there is your heart also.” (Matt. 6:21)

      In 1620 some one hundred twenty passengers from England sailed to America for religious freedom. They settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They faced a severe winter and only 53 people survived. But that autumn the harvest was so plentiful, with 90 Wampanoag Indians, they had the first Thanksgiving, thanking God for a bountiful harvest. Chief Massasoit sent out his hunters and they brought five deer. So what else did they have to eat? Ducks, geese, turkey, corn bread, clams, leeks, watercress and eels. They gave thanks for three full days. (I guess pumpkin pies came later).

     When gratitude comes from the heart people change; when gratitude comes from heart, we can build nations.

      Robert Emmons is a psychology professor at the University of California, Davis and he has done research on the topic of Gratitude. He has written books entitled: “The Psychology of Gratitude,” and “Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make you Happier.” He says, grateful people “feel more alert, alive, interested, enthusiastic. They feel more connected with others.” He goes on to say, “Grateful people are less likely to experience envy, anger, resentment, regret, and other unpleasantness that produce stress.” When the heart is filled with gratitude, we have health, we have joy, and we have hope.

     In the book of Matthew, chapter six, Jesus says, “Be not anxious 4 about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall wear.” Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow nor reap, they don’t store in barns yet God feeds them. Look at the lilies of the field, how God takes care of them. Let todays trouble be enough to today.

      This is what I believe: work hard, do everything you possibly can, then put your whole trust in God. As Emerson reminds us, let us never forget the goodness of God. Once upon a time,

     St. Cuthbert of Lindesfarneleft his monastery to preach to the poor. (In Scotland) He took with him a young lad. The day was hot and they were tried. He said to the young lad, “Do you anyone on this road who from we may ask for food and rest?” The lad didn’t know anyone. St. Cuthbert said, “Son, learn to have trust in God.” Those who believe in him will not perish from hunger.

     As they were walking along the road, an eagle was soaring hight above. Cuthbert said, “It is possible for God to feeds us by the means of the bird.” They came to the river and the eagle stood on the bank. “Son,” said Cuthbert, “run and see what provision God made for us by his handmaid the bird.” The lad and found that the eagle had caught a huge fish. The boy bought it to St. Cuthbert. “Why didn’t you give a part to God’s handmaid, the eagle?” Cut it into two pieces give her one. When the lad took half the fish to the eagle, it took it in its beak and flew away. St. Cuthbert gave half the fish to the village cook and the lad and villagers had a feast and St. Cuthbert went on to preach God’s Word.

     Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. --Psalm 100    (Music by Pam Artibey, soloist, guitarist)

Miracle of Christmas

THE MIRACLES OF CHRISTMAS
1 Luke 2:1-20 Rancho Monserate Chapel
December 16, 2012 2:00 p.m.

The horns are honking, the crowds are rushing, and it’s a crazy time. Scrooge would say: “Bah hum bug!” Ah! But I say: Merry Christmas! I say: Feliz Navidad! And I say: Mele Kalikimaka.

 Think about the places where you celebrated Christmas. Chicago? Ireland? Australia? Los Angeles? Some where in Europe? Anyone: Africa? Oh, the memories.

In our family, we had three boys and three girls. When I was a young boy, my older brothers and sisters were teasing me. They told me that Santa Claus was coming to our house. In Hawaii our houses have no chimneys so I asked them, “But, how is he getting in?” They said, “he has a special key.” “Oh,” I thought, “that makes sense.” But as the years went by I knew better. (Did you know that in Hawaii, Santa Claus comes on a surf board?)

How many of you grew up believing in Santa Claus? (Most of us, it would seem.) Christmas is a time of magic, fantasy, and presents.

One little boy wrote, Dear Santa: In my house there are three boys. Richard is two. Jeffrey is four. Norman is seven. Richard is good sometimes. Jeffrey is good sometimes. Norman is good all the time! Signed: Norman

As children we learn: Christmas is a time of excitement. Christmas is a time of hope. Christmas is a time of giving. Christmas is a time when a baby was born in a manger, whom we know today as Jesus.

Norman Vincent Peale tells about how two men were standing on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in New York City. They were in the Christmas rush. They were waiting for the red light to turn. The one man was irritated and he said, “This town is totally disorganized. Look at this traffic! It’s terrible! Something must be done about it!” The other man was more philosophical. He said, “You know, it’s astounding, the romance of it. There was a baby born to peasant parents in a little out of the way place half way around the world from here. The parents had no money or social standing, yet two thousand years later that little baby creates a traffic jam on Fifth Avenue, one of the most sophisticated streets in the world. This irritates you? It should fascinate you.”

When Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph, Mary wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in the manger. When the shepherds came to worship Jesus, they told Mary about how an angel told them the birth of the Savior. Mary and Joseph were amazed. Luke says, “Mary treasured all their words and pondered them in her heart.”

When you travel to Bethlehem, you must visit the Church of the Holy Nativity. When you enter the church, you have to stoop down before you walk in. Otherwise, you would bang your head. Barclay says, how fitting because Jesus came as a humble servant. Inside you will find a star on the floor marking where Jesus was born.

The birth of Jesus is a remarkable story about prophecy. Isaiah 7:14 To the House of David God will be given a sign. A young woman will bear a child and he will be called Immanuel which means, “God with us.” (Isaiah 740 BC) Micah 5:1-2 The messiah will be born in Bethlehem from the tribe of Judah. (Micah 737 BC) Jeremiah 23:5 The messiah will be a descendant of King David. (Jeremiah 627 BC) Genesis 49:10 Jacob told his son Judah that his descendants will be rulers and one will be the ultimate ruler. Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to Judah.

Isaiah 60:6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense. and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. The wise men, or magi as they are also called, were astrologers who studied the stars. Scholars tell us that it took the wise men about two years to get to Bethlehem. (Some say that if the wise men were women, they would have asked for directions. Today, the wise men would have had GPS). (The wise men brought to Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh).

What was the star in the east? Astronomers say it was a conjunction of stars of some kind. Simo Parpola, an archaeologist and Assyriologist, says the star mentioned in Matthew was probably was “the rare triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces that occurred in the year 7 BCE. So when was Jesus born? Many scholars say somewhere between 6 & 4 BC. As the man at Fifth Avenue said earlier, the birth of Jesus is a fascination.

Brad & Sherry Steiger have written a book entitled, CHRISTMAS MIRACLES.

  In March of 1993, Roger Miller fell into a coma when his aneurysm in his brain burst. He was just 53 years old. The doctors at the Colorado hospital gave little hope to the family. They suggested that there was not anything more they could do; it was best to disconnect his feeding tube. Their family doctor, Dr. Roberts agreed. He was and good friend of Roger and when he talked to the family, his eyes were full of tears. Maureen, Roger’s wife, with her arms around her two children, Kathy, 26 and Randy, 22, she said: “This is a family decision.”

The chances did not look good. Randy said, “Even if it is a million or two million to one, it’s still a chance, isn’t it?” Maureen and Kathy thought it wasn’t fair to let their dad linger in a coma for months. Randy wasn’t done yet. He said, “We’ve always been a praying family. We’ve always put our trust in God. I say we keep on praying until He cures dad.” Randy goes on, “With the help of God, let’s create a Christmas Miracle.”

 From that day on, there was always someone sitting with Roger in the hospital. Maureen read the Bible to him. Randy prayed with his hands on his father’s head. He kept on encouraging his Dad. “ Okay, Dad, come on now. …Dad, you can do it.” Kathy brought her guitar and sang her father’s favorite hymns. Often she brought her twin daughters and they sang a trio. When her husband came, it was a quartet. Within ten days, a nurse witnessed the impossible, Roger opened his eyes. But the doctors declared that he would remain in a coma.

In mid-June, Roger opened his mouth and tried to speak. He recognized his wife, his children, and his friends.

Now Roger was at home. He ate his meals with his family. He watched television. He began to read books. Against all odds, by Christmas, Roger Miller began to regain his health.

God gave them a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE. (Sharing the Story of the Candy Cane -- “Christmas is a time of sharing our Gifts)

Torrey Pines 2012

TORREY PINES, 2012 “It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over”
by Dennis Ginoza

I was at the Farmer’s Insurance Golf Tournament for my second time. Saturday, January 21, at our marshal’s meeting, I got my red jacket, hat, ID, packet, and my assignment—the 18th green.

This year I was not the new kid on the block. I had worked the ropes, on the tee, the fairway, and on the green. Last year, I watched Bubba Watson finish the course with a victory. Phil Mikelson made his challenge but came out short. It was an exciting moment to see. I also watched the movement of the crowd as Tiger Woods got ready to tee off at the 18th. The crowds filled the course, from the tee, down the fairway, to the green. It was an ocean of people moving with anticipation and excitement. That was last year.

A woman named Jenny, a golf instructor, told me, “The crowd is way down this year.” Where was Tiger? He was lured to Dubai for $1.7 million. John Daly, last year had an entourage following him. This year, he was not there. On Friday, we had a disappointment. Phil Mikelson missed the cut. He had much on his mind. His ten year old daughter Sophia fainted and had a small seizure on January 20. Phil is a favorite of the San Diego crowd.

As one spectator told me, “It’s good to see these young players competing.”

The Union Tribune, each day, would print a story of some of the golfers to watch. Bubba Watson’s father surely thought Bubba was going to be a pro baseball player. Then when he was six, Hiram Cook, a pro golfer from San Diego, a left hander enthralled Bubba. At 12 he had shot 62. Once he won a junior tournament by 46 shots. At Torrey Pines, Bubba was back.

Tod Leonard, sportswriter, wrote about how a young 20 year old, Ryo Ishikawa from Japan, was a true competitor. He won a tournament at 15. In 2009 he was the youngest player to reach the top 50 in world rankings. When I was marshalling at the 18th green north, a large group of followers, including reporters with cameras, were watching his every move.

When these pro golfers drive the ball, it is an incredible thing to watch. They make it look easy. When they drive the ball over 300 yards, it disappears from the eye into the blue sky. Then you recapture the ball as it bounces on the fairway. It is then, one realizes why these golfers are pros.

Geoff Ogilvy who is a native of Australia is a seven time PGA winner at the age of 34. On Wednesday at the Pro-Am, a pro with four amateurs who paid for the right to play, had a day of fun. Of the pros that day, Ogilvy had one of the best drives. It went straight, good height, with a distance even a pro would be happy with. He looked content.

The Saturday Union Tribute had this headline about Kyle Stanley, a 23 year old from Gig Harbor, Washington: “Out of Nowhere.” At the end of the day on Saturday, Stanley was 18 under. Tim Sullivan says that the most recent measurement of his drive traveled as fast as 176 miles per hour. Ah, that explains why the ball just disappears from normal vision until it lands on the green. Excitement began to surround this golfer, one “not well known outside the PGA,” says Tod Leonard.

As the tournament proceeded, Brandt Snedeker began to make his mark. As a PGA rookie in 2007, he tied the course of 61 on Torrey Pines North Course. Snedeker can be known as a “comeback kid.” On November 1, he had surgery on his right hip. He was on crutches for five weeks and couldn’t practice fully until New Year’s Day. In 2008 he had a heart break with a Master’s loss. On Friday he had 5 under 67 on the South Course, “the best score in the field, “ writes Todd Leonard.

For five days, the golf pros met the challenge. By Friday, of 158 golfers, 73 made the cut. The rest went their way.

As marshals, we did our job. Keep the crowd controlled and quiet at the time the golfer is making his move, driving, chipping and putting. We are told not to speak to the golfers unless spoken to first. As I opened the ropes for the one the golfers moving from the 17th to the 18th green north, he acknowledged with a, “Thank you.” My response, “You’re welcome.”

To improve the service, the new director of the Tournament said, “We have now 22 concessions for food.” That was a help. Each morning we are given a meal ticket for lunch. For a quick lunch and a break, a concession nearby is a big help.

Sunday, the last day. The field was cut in half so we didn’t have to arrive so early. As the day proceeded, it looked like Kyle Stanley had it wrapped up. At one point he was at 21 under. Those closest to him were trailing by five strokes.

At the 18th green south, Stanley was three strokes ahead of the next player. At 520 yards and par five, all he needed was a 7 stroke round and he would have won. It looked like an easy win for Stanley. The Century Club members were at the green ready for the ending celebration. Kyle Stanley’s name was on the $1,080,000 check.

Brandt Snedeker had already conceded the win. As marshals we were waiting for the victory shout from the crowd and the raised fist from the winning golfer. It didn’t come. Stanley ended up in the waterway. Then he chipped into the upper deck of the green. What we all couldn’t believe was that Stanley triple bogeyed the 18th. It called for play-off on the 18th. The sudden death ended with another tie.

This called for another play-off at the 16th hole. The hundreds of spectators hurried to watch how this drama was going to unfold. Stanley missed his five foot putt ending his chance for victory. Snedeker was the winner and he felt bad for Stanley. He told Stanley, “I’m sorry.”

In the Union Tribune Tod Leonard entitled his story on Monday: “On Top to Flop.” Nick Canepa wrote: “As heartbreakers go, Stanley’s was a doozy.” Hats off to Stanley, he stayed for the media interview. Twice he broke down with tears. His purse was $648,000, not quite the million for Snedeker.

Those of us who watch the best of the best, we are awed by their power, finesse, and precision. But, we also see that they are human. Golf is as much a mental game. It also rides on the emotion.

We also learn that in failure, if we wait long enough, golf as in every game of life, has a silver lining. Just yesterday, February 5, Kyle Stanley won the Phoenix open. Just a week later, he overcame a a major disappointment. The Associated Press headline read: “Tearful Stanley Bounces Back to Claim the Phoenix Open.” Stanley’s last words: “I’m speechless.” A lesson for all of us: tomorrow is another day!

Close Calls

CLOSE CALLS
by Dennis Ginoza

“Near Drowning”

When we look in the mirror of time, it leaves us with wonder, a feeling of relief, and a question on the mystery of life. Just when we seem to understand that our life is based on the logical, the predictable, and the circumstantial, there remains still a question.

We can often conclude that life’s experience will remain, a question upon a question.

I have had some close calls, to be at the edge. The edge seemed next to finality.

When I was a young boy, often we would go to the reservoir not too far from our village. We lived in the midst of the sugar cane fields at the foothills of the mountains in Hawaii. One day, a bunch of us went swimming.

I was not a good swimmer, but had no fear of the water. Right at the entry to the reservoir, at the intake area was what we called the waterfall. A mound of silt had built close by. As I waded in the water, I came to a spot where the bottom fell out into the deep. I sank in the deep, came up for breath and yelled, “Help!” I sank and came up and again yelled, “Help!” This I did three times; no one was there to come to my aid.

I had a feeling: I was finished.

Just then, I felt the rocks under my feet. I was able to climb out of and away from the deep hole. As I stepped on the rocks, I felt a deep certainty that I was going to be all right. I waded to higher ground and was able to get out.

It was a near drowning experience that I shared with no one for a long time. I was just thankful and had a feeling, I was guided and helped. This experience I retained in my memory throughout my life.


“Caught in the Middle of a Raging River”

One Wednesday afternoon, I was in a jeep with the executive director of our association, the
4-H Home Economist, and two young 4-H girls. In Costa Rica, 4-H was called 4-S (for Saber, Sentimiento, Salud, Servicio for: in English Head, Heart, Health, and Hands.

We were going from the town named Nicoya where I was serving as Peace Corps volunteer to a meeting in the next municipality of Santa Cruz. It was a rainy day. There was no bridge over the river and we had driven this route many times. As we were crossing the river in the jeep, the torrential rain had created a raging river unbeknown to us at that time.

In the middle of the river, the water kept rising, above the floor board. Jorge Coto, our driver, was confident that we would be able to cross. The engine sputtered and eventually died. We were stuck. The water was now a swift current waist deep.

It was far too deep for the girls to manage to shore alone. Jorge carried one girl, I carried the other, and we all crossed the river. We made it to shore, soaked, but relieved and safe.

I told Jorge, I’ll go to town to find Omar Salazar, the 4-H agent. He had a jeep with a winch and our meeting was scheduled with him.

As I walked along the road toward the town of Santa Cruz, I saw a grass hut with a ten speed bicyle leaning against the side. I quickly went up to the young man and said in Spanish, “I want to borrow your bike. I need to get some help. We got stuck in our jeep crossing the river.” He acted surprised but didn’t object.

I got to the 4-S Office, found Omar and we drove back to the site. We returned the bike and the young man was totally relieved. We pulled the jeep out of the river and waited for the river currents to subside. And we returned home.


“We Lost Our Brakes on a Mountain Road”

In the town of Nicoya, in the province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, I had served as a Peace Corps volunteer. My assignment was with the Regional Association for Development for the Peninsula of Nicoya.

Our task as an association was to help deveop this region of four municipalities and two districts. We engaged in self-help projects, agricultural development, community action, 4-S loans, and the construction of impact roads.

One of the leaders and movers for the association was Pedro Arauz, whom we called Don Pedro. He had a brother who was a senator for the central government. He was therefore a strong influence and effective leader for change.

Don Pedro and I would meet with leaders in various communities to identify needs and we would help them organize to develop projects (such as health centers, irrigation systems, etc.)

One day Don Pedro and I had gone to an isolated village to meet with the leaders. I was driving. On the way back from this mountain village, on a steep winding dirt road, as we descended, I could feel the brakes giving out.

We had no brakes. I had to act quickly.

I didn’t say anything to Don Pedro. So he had no idea what was happening.

I had one chance. I knew what I had to do. I had to double clutch, and shift into the lowest gear. If I couldn’t get into the lower gear, we would have been in trouble. I double clutched, pulled the shift in the lowest gear, and walla, we came to a crawl.

Phew! Did it!

We made it down safely. Then I told Don Pedro what happened. (I didn’t discuss my faith in God with him, but I was thankful to God for a safe journey down the hill. Don Pedro was a man of faith himself. He attended the Roman Catholic Church in town with him family, wife, son and two daughters).

An experience such as this amplifies our need to rely on the Greater Source, whom we know as God the Father.


“Close Call on a Construction Site”

It was summer of 1962. I was a college student in Iowa and has secured a job with the Toledo Construction Company.

Our task was to tear down the old fiber glass furnace for the Mansfield Company in Defiance, Ohio. With sledge hammers, crow bars, air hammers, and wheel barrows, we did our work. It was hard work, but with great wages.

The project was coming along. The foundation was ready for the new construction. The iron workers, plummers, and the carpenters brought progress to the building of the new fibre glass furnaces.

On this particular day, I was checking some work along the forms before the concrete could be poured. I had one foot on the supporting 2 x 4 on the wall, the other foot on the dirt wall. What I didn’t see was the huge over hang of dirt above me.

Then it happened. A huge clump of dirt broke off above me and it knocked me off the ledge. The next thing I knew, I was down on my knees in two inches of water. Here is the surprising thing.

My face was in the water, but my head was turned to the side. My nose was just above the water so I could breathe. Why I didn’t end up face down in the water is beyond me. I believe today, still, I was helped by a mysterious hand. My face was turned so I wouldn’t drown. .

I heard the foreman yell out. “Somebody, get down there and help that guy!” One of the men came down, shook off the heavy clump of dirt off my back. I had cut my forehead on the fall. I must have hit one of the protruding wires that held the forms in place. That was all my injury.

Some years ago, as I was reading a book about angels in preparation for a Sunday sermon and I came across this verse. It leaves one to ponder the presence of angels.

For he will command his angels
concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11

Those who love me, I will
deliver;
I will protect those who know
my name.
Psalm 91:14
“Saved on the Highway”

In the late 1970’s and the 1980’s I would often drive along Highway 8 linking Santee with the rest of San Diego. I drove a 1973 Toyota Corona, a two door, stick shift, four cylinder car. It was comfortable, efficient, and adequate for my travels.

One day as I was heading east, I had to stop at the La Mesa United Methodist Church for a district matter. My exit was Spring Street.

I was driving in the third lane in from the right shoulder. As the Spring Street exit was getting closer, I needed to change lanes. I was about to move into the next lane when I could see an eighteen wheeler on the far right lane traveling parallel to me.

There was that open lane between us which seemed fine at the moment. Just seconds before I turned into the next lane, I had an inner feeling. “Don’t move into that lane, it’s not safe!” I didn’t hear a voice, but a thought entered my mind. I had begun turning, just then the eighteen wheeler moved right into the second lane.

I quickly pulled back. Had I not had that inner sense and reacted, I would have been crushed. The driver in the car behind thought I was changing lanes so it was about to pass me when I turned back. It quickly went around me, of which I was very aware.

This was one experience I truly felt I was being watched over. The sentient side of me was being assisted. It came from somewhere beyond me. I came to this conclusion with assurance. With confidence I have learned: we are connected with God and looked after. (See Psalms 91:14-16)

Warren Buffett: Reforming Congress

Warren Buffett, Reforming Congress

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling:

"I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election.

The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months and 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971—before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc.

Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven took one year or less to become the law of the land, all because of public pressure.
Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of 20 people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise. In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

Congressional Reform Act of 2011

1. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they're out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social
Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the
Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into
the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the
American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all
Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses its current health-care system and
participates in the same health-care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the
American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void
effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract.

Congress made these contracts for itself. Serving in
Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers
envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their
term(s), then go home and back to work.

If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S.) to receive the message. Don't you think it's time?

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!