Google: A Corrupt Company Culture Conservatives Should Reconsider
Posted on January 31, 2018 in Money, Public Policy by Nathan Cherry
Discrimination is a popular topic in today’s political landscape. But what if the group regularly discriminated against is the one you would least expect?
Even unfounded accusations of discrimination garner plenty of attention. Take for example the accusation by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee that a woman was upset she had to give up her first class seat only because Jackson-Lee is black. That entirely unfounded accusation of discrimination gained media attention simply because it was made.
No one is denying that discrimination happens. Cases of real discrimination against minorities and women continue to make life and work in our world difficult for someone people. But what if this unseemly act has a dark underbelly against a group that no one would suspect? Or, at least that no one will talk about?
Most people are familiar with the former Google engineer that was fired for writing a memo in which he made comments Google found incompatible with their corporate culture. James Damore wrote the memo to express his belief that it was possible more men work in technology due to personal choice and perhaps due to the inherent biological differences between men and women. Of course such notions can hardly be spoken among friends at a dinner party, much less in corporate America where any hint that differences exist will be immediately vilified.
So James Damore was fired. He then went on to let the public peer behind the Google curtain in a way that we never did before. What we saw is a company that despises white males, pays women less, loathes conservatives, and is willing to engage in every form of intolerance; all while claiming to be a tolerant work place. (Click here for 19 unbelievable statements from his lawsuit)
Consider some of the allegations made by Damore in his lawsuit against Google: Continue reading…
Students Speak Loud and Clear: Sex Education Courses Get an F
Posted on January 30, 2018 in Public Policy, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
New report has clear message for school officials regarding sex education.
I’ve never been able to get past the lack of common sense that says if we encourage kids to have “safe sex” it will result in fewer pregnancies and STD’s. The thinking is so backward, in my opinion, that it’s hard to take seriously. And, as it turns out, it’s also a failed strategy.
In recent years it has been the popular government position that teaching graphic, detailed sex education classes was the way to make sure high-school students had safe sex. The assumption went something like this: “students are going to have sex anyway, let’s make sure they know what they are doing.”
I suppose next the government will launch a “students are going to drink alcohol anyway, let’s make sure they know how much will make them drunk” campaign.
Or maybe we will see a “students are going to do drugs anyway, let’s make sure they do the ‘right drugs’” campaign.
As ridiculous as these sound, it is equally ridiculous that the government thought their graphic sex education class was a good idea. And even more ridiculous that school want to partner with the government to take this failed idea to elementary and Kindergarten classrooms. Why does a 1st grader need to know about sex?
A recent article reports the following concerning the failed approach to sex education:
“After two terms of the last administration’s ‘if-it-feels-good-do-it’ approach, most experts agree [it] accomplished one thing: making the situation worse. ‘Compared with their peers,’ a 2016 study by the American Journal of Public Health found, ‘teenagers in the [government’s programs] were more likely to begin having sex… and more likely to get pregnant.’ And it’s no wonder. The curriculum was so extreme that 40 percent of young people actually said they felt more pressure to engage in sex from their sex ed classes than from their boyfriends or girlfriends!”
It appears the classes intended to “educate” students on “safe sex” felt more like a call to action; or rather a push. But, as this approach shows, the government and schools didn’t give students enough credit. Just as we tell students not to drink, and expect them to live up to that expectation, we should be telling students not to have sex and expecting them to live up to that expectation.
As it turns out, abstinence is the “program” students prefer. A Time article reports: Continue reading…
The Life of Job: A Lesson on the Absolute Sovereignty of God in Every Persons Life
Posted on January 24, 2018 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
Some find the idea of God’s sovereignty repugnant. They reason that if God has the ability and power to keep terrible things from happening, why doesn’t He? Since God doesn’t prevent terrible things from happening He must not be sovereign because any loving Father would surely intervene.
This isn’t a new way of questioning God’s sovereignty. This has been the predominant opposition to the idea of sovereignty on the part of skeptics, doubters, and Christians alike.
While God’s sovereignty is without question one of the most difficult, and, at times, troubling aspects to discuss, it is also one of the most critical to understand.
My Answer to the Question:
I have a simple answer to those that say God must not be sovereign because a loving Father would not allow terrible things to happen to His children.
What about Job?
In the account of Job we have a unique insight into God’s sovereignty particularly as it applies to His children. Here we see a man that is “the greatest of all the people of the east.” (1:3) He has been tremendously blessed by God and was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” (1:1) Continue reading…
It’s Not Just Millennials that Need Personal Financial Education
Posted on January 23, 2018 in Money by Nathan Cherry
Studies show millennials are clueless when it comes to basic financial literacy. Is it their fault? What can we do?
I don’t like talking about debt. But I spend a lot of time talking (and writing) about debt. Mainly because our nation is drowning in debt. From the recent college graduate with $80,000 in student loans, to the middle-aged working class adults that are still paying off student loans but have added a mortgage, car payments, credit car balances, and a home equity line; our nation has a serious debt crisis.
According to an article at Business Insider that published the results of a Trading Economics study, out of 30 countries, America ranks #10 for having the most debt. Americans have a collective $1.14 trillion in auto debt, $1.28 trillion in student loans, and $8.82 trillion in mortgage debt. The total household debt of Americans is up to $8.82 trillion (as of the third quarter of 2016).
These numbers give America a household-debt-to-GDP number of 78.8%; making us the country with the 10th highest debt.
A CNBC article ranks states with the most debt using the debt-to-income ratio number. Using this equation California has the most debt per person, followed closely by Hawaii, Virginia, Colorado, and Utah. Maryland and D.C. are also in the top 10. The difference between California, the state with the highest debt ratio, and Maryland, the #10 state on the list, is not much (1.84-2.34).
Is our nation’s debt problem simply due to circumstances beyond our control and unforeseen accidents? Or is there a reasonable explanation that we need to admit and begin correcting? Continue reading…
DIED in 2017: Two Notable Deaths You Probably Didn’t Hear About
Posted on January 18, 2018 in Life, Theology by Nathan Cherry
Two of the most notable deaths of 2017 were largely ignored by the media; but they were not ignored by everyone.
Every year media outlets publish their list of stars that were lost during the year. It’s a Who’s Who list of musicians, actors, actresses, and influential people that have departed this life. The list is intended, I think, to remind of the accomplishments of talented people as a tribute to their contributions to our society.
The list for 2017 is no different. It is replete with the most talented, accomplished individuals our society has known. Here is just a small sampling of the long list of well-known people that died in 2017:
Gene Cernan, the last astronaut to walk on the moon.
Mary Tyler Moore, the groundbreaking actress from the Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore shows.
Chuck Berry, often referred to as the “father” of Rock N Roll.
Jim Bunning, a former Hall of Fame baseball player that served in Congress.
Greg Allman, a legendary singer and frontman for The Allman Brothers.
Jerry Lewis, perhaps one of the greatest comedians in history.
Edith Windsor, a social activist that helped pave the way for same sex marriage in America.
Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy.
Fats Domino, a legendary pianist and singer that blended rock with blues.
John Hillerman, an iconic actor known for his part in Magnum P.I. and for being the voice of KIT in Night Rider.
Dick Enberg, an iconic sports announcer known for his catchphrase “Oh My.”
The list is full of extraordinary people with extraordinary accomplishments. And yet, there’s at least two names missing from the list. Continue reading…
The #1 Way to Take Advantage of the New Tax Bill
Posted on January 16, 2018 in Money by Nathan Cherry
Whether you love it or not, the new tax bill is now law. Here’s the best way to take advantage of it in 2018 (and beyond).
Forget all the news you’ve heard (or read) recently about the new tax bill. Forget the pundits on either side of the aisle that want to convince you that the world is going to come crashing down, or that everyone will be rich tomorrow.
All that noise only obscures the plain facts of the new tax bill and the enormous opportunity that Americans have because of it.
As a financial professional I work with people newly retired, nearing retirement, or hoping to one day retire accumulate assets, preserve assets, and protect assets. It’s a job involving comprehensive financial planning, asset management, and budgeting. All of the parts have to work together to make sure someone doesn’t outlive their money, among other things. But all this planning can be brought to a screeching halt for one reason: debt.
Nothing will derail a good financial plan like debt. Whether someone has just retired or is hoping to retire soon, debt will be the determining factor. Large amounts of debt will keep a person working longer. Debt will also hinder a person in retirement from doing the things they have dreamed of for 40 years. Debt is the most destructive force in a persons financial life. Continue reading…
Next Up: Trans-Racial People
Posted on January 11, 2018 in Public Policy by Nathan Cherry
Rachel Dolezal
What is the logical end of a culture that says it’s appropriate to claim to be what you are not?
Several years ago it was discovered that the president of the Spokane, Washington NAACP, an “African American” named Rachel Dolezal, was actually a white woman. Dolezal lived for years as a black woman, never revealing to friends and co-workers her true racial background. It wasn’t until her parents confirmed that their daughter was white that Dolezal was forced to admit the truth (and was subsequently fired by the NAACP).
Since then the idea of people being “transracial” has gained momentum.
One of the more recent examples is a man named Adam, a white man, that says he identifies as Filipino and because of his racial identity has changed his name to Ja Du. Ja Du says he feels “like I’m in my own skin” when he is around Filipino food, music, and culture. Much like Dolezal, Ja Du intends to live as someone from another ethnicity as part of the growing “trans-racial” community.
Is this really a problem? Is there something wrong with being one thing while claiming to be another? Should we be concerned with someone that lives as another ethnicity instead of their own? Continue reading…
SHOCK: Company Sells Baby Heads to Undercover Reporters
Posted on January 9, 2018 in Life by Nathan Cherry
The reality that aborted baby body parts are being sold is once again in the news.
A report out of Michigan is again turning our attention to the sale of aborted baby body parts. This reality has shocked, and should continue to shock our sense of moral right. This issue involves both the aspect of human dignity and the morality of profit.
A biotech firm called Restore Life USA has been discovered selling aborted baby body parts. In this grisly version of this practice that was first made known to the American public when Planned Parenthood revealed that they sold aborted baby body parts, Restore Life USA was caught selling severed baby heads.
The story was first reported by Reuters because it was Reuters that made the discovery as part of an undercover investigation. A recent article explains that Reuters investigative reporters arranged for the sale of baby heads and, after a few emails and payment, the deal was confirmed. The article states: Continue reading…
The Feminist Worldview is Incompatible with Love Because It Is Selfish
Posted on January 4, 2018 in Marriage by Nathan Cherry
The more instances of “feminism” I see, the more I realize just how selfish and hypocritical a worldview it is.
There can be no doubt that elements of the women’s liberation movement of the past decades were good, and right, and needed. Ensuring women had the right to vote and workplace equality are two positive outcomes we can point to. Today’s feminist movement however is as damaging to relationships, families, and society as any other skewed worldview.
Consider for a moment the story of a woman that was seeking advice on things she could make for her husband’s lunch. This woman asked social media for things she could make for her husband’s lunch, something she did each day because she “loves her man” and they “can’t afford to eat out.”
Now, let’s stop right here for a moment and acknowledge what is taking place. Here is a young couple, most likely not married for very long, seeking to love and support one another. The young wife states that she makes her husband lunch because they can’t really afford to eat out. She also states that it is her way of loving and taking care of her man. This young wife further states that her husband works very hard and even helps around the house with things like cooking dinner.
From the details presented here this is a young couple working together, serving one another out of love. But did social media agree?
Nope. The moms on Maddie’s social media group immediately attacked her as a “slave,” “1950’s housewife,” and “weird.” here is some of the responses she received: Continue reading…
Economics 101: Discrimination is Fundamental to a Free Market Economy
Posted on January 3, 2018 in Money, Public Policy, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
At one time I thought the case of a baker refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding was about religious freedom. Now I know it’s about more than that.
The case known as Masterpeice Cakeshop V. Colorado Civil Rights Commission is, perhaps, the biggest case to appear before the Supreme Court this year. The case is so big that rather than taking only the customary 60 minutes for oral arguments, the case took 90 minutes of the court’s time. That’s not insignificant as it signals, on the part of the court, how important this case is.
In days leading up to the Supreme Court oral arguments, the contention that this is a religious freedom case was made loud and clear. I sympathize with those making this argument, but, must respectfully disagree. If this is a religious freedom case it is misunderstood and its outcome will be limited.
Let’s make sure we are clear on the material facts of the case.
Jack Phillips, owner of the bakery, was asked to bake a cake celebrating a same-sex wedding. He respectfully declined, citing his religious convictions. Phillips was sued and, eventually, found guilty of discrimination. The long appeals process has brought us to the Supreme Court where Jack’s lawyers have argued that Jack is an artist and, like any artist, retains the right to decide what art he will and will not create. Jack’s lawyers have furthermore argued that forcing Jack to bake a cake celebrating something he is convictionally opposed to would be a violation of his religious freedom. Continue reading…