Dang, the header almost drags you back to the final days of 1999. Remember how countless experts predicted the end of the world as we knew it because computers wouldn't be able to handle the rollover to the 2000 century mark and everything would come to a grinding halt. In the end it was nonsense. And to put everyone's mind at ease, this thread isn't about T33, or the dastardly doings as politicians try to slip another one over on us neophytes who aren't privy to their sneaky dealings. Nope, this is a feel good, get some excitement out (at least for me) piece. In the past three years, we bought a second residence with plans to move to it. During that time period, we began a massive remodel that has dragged on into perpetuity. And, we sold the compound on Desert Rock; arguably one of the hardest things i have had to do. I loved that house. If i have learned nothing else in my 70 years on this earth, looking forward is way better than looking back. I know, i tout the history ad nauseam, but that is almost always for reference and clarity on how and why we (Sun City) succeeded. With that caveat out of the way, here's the source of my glee. We're still a ways away from being complete, but today they showed up to put the synthetic stucco on the house. I've been silently praying for this day and damned if it didn't finally happened. It just means, once that is done, they can get the lights and gates up, on and functional. There's still several projects to be completed, but clearly this gets us within vision of seeing the end. There's been days, and some sleepless nights where i truly wondered if it would ever come to pass, but for now, i am breathing a sigh of relief.
Bill, me being an over the top history jock which drives most of my friends crazy, allow me to impart this historical/political science view. I find that SC, as we evolve a lot like the preamble to the Constitution, both are a continuing work in process. If you have not read the preamble since high school or college, please do so and think about that point, then post and tell me that I do not know what I am talking about.
Rather than make others scramble to find it, here's what it says: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. You have me at a distinct disadvantage, i'm no US history buff, and in all candor not sure of the comparison. The good news is i am willing to listen and learn. Some things do jump out at me; the first and most obvious is the capitalization of what i suspect were key words. Oddly enough, our current president must be a fan of the Preamble because he twitters or tweets caps for no apparent reasons and in the oddest places. Also interesting to note, the spelling of defence/defense has changed. Then i read this document was written at the conclusion of the writing of the Constitution and the language has never been used as part of a case adjudication, except for frivolous litigation. That said, it clearly sets up the purpose of the Constitution in the formation of our country and the principles we were were founded under. As i reread it, it appears we have strayed from our intent. Was it intentional? Was it because greed and the almighty dollar became more important than those founding tenets? In some areas we have evolved to a better place; in others we have drifted and become jaundiced. Of course the primary difference is the Constitution is 230 plus years old and Sun City is just approaching 60 years. Our documents were a moving target in those beginning years because DEVCO was flailing about trying to get their head around what we would become. It was an exercise in bringing the community together and building documents that would allow us to survive and flourish. Meeker always believed our future included incorporation, but those living here disagreed and he respected them enough not to try and shove it down their throat. They were that good. It is why i get frustrated at the cavalier way they change our documents. Back in the day, those kinds of changes were met with sharp criticism and harsh outcries. Today, hardly anyone knows and no one seems to care. In the end, maybe we do get the governance we deserve. When you think about it, in spite of the Preamble and the Constitution, maybe today we get exactly what we deserve from our politicians as well. Lies, hyperbole and rhetoric are revered where those who see the need to be statesmen are scorned and chastised.
Well Bill, my point is that both our country and SC are constantly evolving. We, like our country are still trying establish the perfect community. While we are not in the defense business, not the justice business per se, or blessings of liberty. We do provide for the general welfare with the smart management of our assets which in turn would promote tranquility although being SC somebody is always going be upset over something. I must disagree with you as to the preamble being part of litigation. While not specifically argued comment defense was part of the draft discussions during WWI and more recently Vietnam. Domestic tranquility is a basis of riot acts and curfews after national disasters or riots. Establish justice is the core of our judiciary and laws, including English common law as well as ancient Roman law, such as procedure. General welfare is the basis for Social Security, Medicare, unemployment compensation, workers compensation and basically everything such food safety, traffic laws, car safety, etc. Thiese are the result of my studies at the university, talking with my lawyer friends and my opinions. Being a non working historian, real historians and political scientists have debated these points for decades. Give you another example, it is my belief that a woman’s choice to end a pregnancy is covered by the the First and Fourth Amendments which makes no one else’s business. There is also something called compelling State interest, which has never been told to me. Anyway, this is covered by general welfare also. Hope this clears things up a bit.
Funny how a thread on remodeling a house ended up in a discourse on the Preamble to the Constitution. The reality is, from my simple perspective GdV, is that all of life is an evolving state. That old adage if you aren't moving forward, you are in fact moving backward always seemed relevant to me. The more important questions are: Evolving to what? For better? For Worse? The house we are in is the classic example. I know there are people living in Sun City who will hate what we have done to the property. The most often heard lament would be from those who think the house doesn't fit the mold of the homes around us. Cynthia, who used to post often, till she moved here, said this model was her favorite. She liked the twin arches in the front of the house; my wife thought it made the house look like the M in the McDonalds sign. Beauty is always in the eyes of the beholder, and others will look at what we have done and realize we just increased the value of their home with our updates. It's the same with Sun City and it's governance. Some will see the changes in our documents as a plus, others will feel it is a huge step back. Over the past years, as the GM has written out community safeguards, i would and have argued it is tragic. Sadly, the vast majority of residents have no idea we even have documents that matter one way or the other. To take it to an entirely different scale; look at the country. Are we better off today than we were 20 years ago? 50 years ago? No question we have evolved, but to what end? Technological advances have exploded and they will continue to do so. Our pace of life seems to get faster along with it. We barely speak to each other because the damn cell phone is stuck to our hands. People sit in a restaurant and text each other. What has the cost of all this been? Has our humanity been marginalized to a point of no return? In the non Sun City Related Discussions i started a thread Who Wants to Venture a Guess? No one responded, but the simple question was why was the USA rated 19th on the list of the happiest countries? The top of the heap was Finland followed by Denmark and Norway. Why are those countries "happier?" What are we missing here in the US? We dropped from 15th to 19th last year. Is it all the angst? The political rancor? The pace of life? The constant push to have more? Life is ever evolving, but does that mean it's better? In the end, i just want the remodel done so i can be happier. I hate remodeling.
Dang, what a morning. Was planning on going to the first portion of the RCSC board meeting and then down to the museum for their groundbreaking on the new addition. I made neither. Stucco guys showed up a little after 6 am to finish the acrylic, then the gate guy for the self closing gates we need for the county pool requirements and the plumbers started digging the pop ups in the pool floor. On top of that the owner of the pool company, my contractor and his sub on the stucco all stopped by to see how everything was going. Damn, i love when a plan comes together.
I attended this morning’s meeting and it was a hoot. You will enjoy the video as you will see the result of a switch to Title 33 and how the crowd thinned out quickly as the meeting dragged on. Democracy may be messy but it can be boring unless you stick with it.
