Hello C3 Family!

Weekly Rant - A Money Saving Super Power

I often like to think of things at their most fundamental level. I ultimately converted to Christianity because of the argument for God's existence I call the argument from extreme skepticism where you come to belief in an omniscient, omnipotent, and All-Good god from a point of only knowing that existence itself exists. The bare bones approach is something I often go back to in all manners of life. 

Whether it be personal health choices, family relationships, or controversial political topics like; abortion, religion, fiscal policy, the war in Gaza, US border policy, or any other issue that requires discernment and hard decision making, we should be able to articulate our positions in a way that is calm, confident, detached, and easily understood.

In 1 Peter 3:15 St. Peter writes "...Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;"

We all should be committed to the truth and unattached to talking points.

Okay, how in the world is this philosophy of mine a 'Money saving superpower?!?!?' So glad you asked!! Being able to articulate what you believe in basic and well-formed reason makes you become a far better evangelist than you would be otherwise and an overall more contented person. Human beings love the simple, genuine and straight forward truth. We are attracted to it like moths to the flame. God is truth and He has written it on our hearts. Sure, we may first explode with rage if we view that simple truth as threatening to some perversion of ours, but seeds are always planted by those who speak simple truths in calm ways.

If more of us become the simple and calm truth speaker, the more converts we will have to our way of thinking both religiously and politically. And the more converts we have the more fire power we have for our viewpoints getting established in society. 

I write this little rant this week because of election day fast approaching. YouTube is inundated with "Ben Shapiro DESTROYS" videos and man on the street videos where a clueless person with strong opinions is ripped to shreds as to why they hold certain beliefs. Social media is plagued with angry comments on every controversial topic imaginable. And our political leaders cannot get through 3 minutes without insulting their political rival. Of course, I am sure these things play a role in the conversion of some. However, the conversion of the many will only take place if we are truly confident in our positions and can articulate them well and simply. We need both religious and fiscally sane converts, and the above philosophy plus the grace of God is how to get them. If we do get them then LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of money will be saved and perhaps even a few souls.

Just to reiterate, a fiscally responsible policy can only be implemented by a fiscally responsible government, and a fiscally responsible government can only be in power if a fiscally responsible populous elects such a government. If we are to achieve a populous that at least votes for fiscally responsible governments then we need a lot of converts from the welfare state of mind to the "no we do not want free handouts" state of mind. How do we do this, see above explained philosophy.

Top Stories

• Bonds are selling and that means investors are done hoping for more aggressive rate cuts from the fed. Also, BTC is now approaching $70K, mostly because a Trump victory looks somewhat likely.

• The entertainment industry is looking for a new hub by exiting Hollywood, but Gov Gavin Newsome is trying to entice production companies to stay. Gov Newsome is more than doubling the tax incentive for movie and film production from $330M to $750M. Hollywood saw a 5% dip in production activity last quarter, and this has the entire state of CA worried.

• This weekend we will turn the clocks back, because you know...that's what we do. Most say we do it to conserve energy or for farmers or something, but really it is a mostly pointless exercise that we all just go along with.

• The American people have donated a record setting $15.9 Billion to the federal election. According to Open Secrets (a nonpartisan Group website tracking donations) 408 people have given more than $1 million each to either Harris' campaign or Trump's.

• Venom: The Last Dance was a relatively low-budget comic book movie at $120m but despite good audience reviews it struggled at the box office on opening weekend making only $51M. The Box office this past summer into Fall has struggled except for Deadpool & Wolverine.

• Trump Hosted a marathon Rally at MSG in NYC and after the rally there was a 20% surge for Trump Media.

• Even Robinhood is getting in on election betting. All betting apps and contract purchases have Donald Trump as the favorite but the polls remain close. 
• Volkswagen is planning massive layoffs and plant closures. Almost 300,000 workers will be laid off. 

• Oil prices fell 6% following Israel's limited missile strike on Iran. The odd thing is that oil production in Iran was not impacted. Speculation and fear mongering, a happily married couple for Milenia. Though the prevailing thought is that if a conflict does spill into Irans borders for any length of time then oil production in the middle east will take a severe hit.

• Amendment 4 in Florida states that “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider," The amendment needs 60% of voters on Nov 5th for it to pass. Right now, pollsters think about 54% support the amendment. Gov. Desantis is doing everything he can to stop this amendment. Please pray it is stopped!!