If Dallas' budget were a severely wounded patient and City Manager Mary Suhm a surgeon, those screams coming from the operating room would be due to amputations performed without the benefit of anesthesia. Even though she's pared a $130 million budget shortfall to just below $19 million, the reductions still necessary are approaching the point of cutting fat and muscle and sawing too close to bone for comfort.

With the mayor and several city council members seemingly opposed to any tax increase, Suhm is left with little choice but to consider budget cuts in numerous categories: public safety, the arts, libraries, parks and recreation, streets, garbage collection and code enforcement. This amounts to no good choices for citizens or the slashed departments.

The time has come to stop delaying the inevitable and include a tax increase in this budget.

"An idea is salvation by imagination."

Frank Lloyd Wright, 1867 - 1959
Architect, Philosopher

Usually when someone says that something is self explanatory, it needs explanation. I think this needs no further explanation...

I confess it.

I'm impatient. I have little tolerance for games, or insincerity. For that reason, there are times when I have to be reminded of examples that have shown me that, as my grandmother used to say, 'there is more than one way to skin a cat'!

I was reminded of that when I watched President Obama last week in his meeting with GOP Representatives.

I may not always agree with his proposals. I certainly wish that he would be more aggressive with his policy agenda. But there is something else that he is after - changing the nature of political debate in this country, which has grown more sour, course and superficial by the decade. It has resulted in a public discourse which has turned voting against ones interests into a virtue. And has demeaned clear thinking as a something suspicion and exalted 'plain spokeness' (i.e. inarticulateness, a lack of curiosity and a capacity to substitute opinions and feelings for facts in a debate), as a sign of sincerity.

Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong, 1901 - 1971
Jazz Trumpet Player, Musical Genius

As I mentioned in a previous post, CDM board member and Baylor Hospital Chief Equity Officer, Dr. Jim Walton has joined other health care professionals and rescue volutounteers in Haiti.

His wife, Dr. Rhonda Walton, has provided us with updates of his experience. It helps me visualize just how extensive the devastation to both property and persons and how it will take the world community to help rebuild and restore this tiny island.

We should all be thankful to anyone and everyone who has devoted their time, treasure and prayerful support to the Haitians and those who have been able and available to respond personally.

The following clip of a presentation by economist Larry Mischel, the president of the Economic Policy Institute. He provides as clear an explanation as I've heard of why our economy is where it is and what it will take to provide relief for hurting individuals and families. It does indeed jibe with the President's proposals in his State of the Union address. The EPI doesn't march lock step with the Administration. It doesn't for instance, agree with the proposal for a discretionary spending freeze, for instance.

I did it one or two times when I was a pastor; I have other friends who have apparently tried it in their ministries. I don't think any of us would recommend it to young pastors.

I mean have an open forum with the people who oppose your plans and vision! You tend to leave those meetings thinking, "Maybe this was a bad idea!".

So why on earth would the President - yes, President Obama - go in front of 140 Republicans and not only make a speech, but field Q&A?!

One of Central Dallas Ministries' most important program is our Nurture Knowledge and Nutrition (NKN) initiative. For several years it's primary focus has been providing snacks for after school programs and lunches for summer children's programs.

We are beginning to focus more increasingly on child nutrition and obesity. As our society grows much more sedentary and eats more unhealthily, the greatest damage is seen in our children. With both the lack of quality, accessibility and affordability of fresh food and vegetables in low income communities, poor children are disproportionately affected.

I last talked with Terri Hodge the day after my post, reacting to her assertion that eminent domain was a greater issue in District 100 than education. She objected to the inference insisted that she understood the importance of and the need for a college education. Her comments came during an interview with the editorial board of the Dallas Morning News. She admitted that she should have phrased her thoughts better and went on to defend her legislative record on education. You can read about all of that here.

Throughout our conversation Terri sounded defeated and defensive.