R.I.P. Ira Love (Ira Ferguson)

R.I.P. Ira Love (Ira Ferguson)

This past week this earth lost a great guy and a wonderful musician in Ira Love. The dude’s been around. He’s played with Mint Condition, New Nation, Ira N The Christo Palace, and many more. I’ve known Ira for about seven years. I saw him in his prime, and slowly deteriorate from his kidney issues. It was sad to watch. He knew that he wouldn’t be around late into life, but at 40 years old? It just doesn’t seem right. It’s bittersweet. He’s no longer in pain, but jumping around with his new body, pain free. He also gets to see his late son again. So, I’m happy for him, but kind of sad for us down here. We had always talked of doing some FTFE stuff together, but never got around to it. Maybe in the next life, bro. If you knew Ira, you know what I’m saying. His funeral was packed. I’ve never seen so many people stick around for a three hour service. But that’s how he lived his life. He left behind a legacy. Any less would have been an injustice. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

Take stock of your life, everyone. What legacy are you leaving behind? How much good did you do while you were here? We’re on borrowed time. Make the most of it.

I Forgot Something... (Just Vote NO!)

Maybe you've heard of the "Vote Yes" campaign, if you're in Minnesota. It proposes to put 100% of vehicle taxes towards roads and mass transit. This seems like a great plan on the surface. Who wouldn't want roads that can handle our population better? What does this proposition really say? Is it really that simple as putting money back into our roads? Maybe. We haven't heard much about the inner workings of this thing since the signs started popping up around the state. But, here's what they're not advertising: There is a ceiling of 60% for roads, and a floor of 40% on mass transit. More can be spent on transit and less on roads, but not the other way around. They can put 100% into mass transit (i.e. light rail), and 0% into roads. I don't think that people in Duluth, Warrroad, or Mankato, MN should be funding light rail. Mass transit does little for the majority of people in this state. I don't like this sliding scale. They want to run light rail through my community. Stats show, however, that muggings and other crime have gone up around these light rail stations. I want that in my neighborhood why? The Metro Transit Council would gladly put 100% of this into light rail, given the opportunity. Now, I'm not saying this will happen, but with the language in the bill, it is possible. So, please join me in voting "NO" on Minnesota's transportation amendment. Demand they rewrite this thing to put a fixed amount toward roads. That is a solution where everybody wins. Thank you.

One Last-Minute Appeal

I am going to make one more appeal to you, to thoughtfully consider your options and to be sure to vote tomorrow. Some of you may feel like sitting this one out. Some of you may not care about midterm elections. Some of you have made up your minds, because of party, and done absolutely no research. This is serious business. For those of you that are Christians, Jesus said to give Ceasar what is Ceasar's, and give God what is God's. Taxes, jury duty, and voting are all part of each American's civil duty. These are things we owe "Caesar". If you don't do your homework, however, you are again slighting your fellow Americans. What we owe God; to do our homework. To go over each candidate, regardless of party, and find out where he or she stands on issues that are important to our core beliefs. Being a one issue voter does not do justice to the amount of important issues that affect us as Americans.

• Abortion
• The role and purpose of marraige
• Beliefs about God and religion (this may not seem applicable, and that politics and religion should not mix, but it will sure matter to you if someone gets into office that panders to groups that continually oppose and work to neuter your belief system).
  
• Gives incentives to groups and individuals that are willing to help the poor.
• Backing just judges or judges with an agenda to change our laws
  

Other issues that involve us as Americans:

• More/less taxes
• Regardless of what you think about war, weigh all available evidence
• Homeland security
• Benefits for/or crackdowns on illegal immigration
• Reduce/Increse violent crime (look at their record)
• Accepting money from what groups or kinds of people
• Groth of economy (unemployment, consumer confidence, consumer spending, new jobs created, etc.)
  
• Candidates past record (people can change, but the proof of burden is on them to show change)

Please do your research, and then come out tomorrow to help the right people get into office, that America might be a better place. Thank you.