Brookfield7

All content, of both the original Brookfield7.com and this blog, is written from my point of view and is my opinion. I believe it to be accurate at the time it is written. ~ Kyle Prast, Brookfield resident since 1986

Saturday, June 01, 2013

Dr. Ben Carson: 'Gifted Hands' and a gifted mind

Dr. Benjamin Carson was the featured speaker at the Americans for Prosperity rally last Thursday night at the Waukesha Expo. Though Dr. Carson made quite the media splash at the National Prayer Breakfast in February 2013, his visit to Waukesha went largely unnoticed by local mainstream media.

Senator Ron Johnson was also invited by AFP, and he spoke prior to Dr. Carson about the dysfunction of Washington D.C.  Then he gave an interesting intro about his first impressions of Dr. Carson at the prayer breakfast, which is included in the video clip below. (Sometimes being wrong is good!)

When it was Dr. Carson's turn to speak, the crowd of 2,500-3,000 at the Waukesha Expo gave him a very warm welcome. He spoke about the greatness of America and personal responsibility. He also compared our bloated, inefficient governmental bureaucracy to an overly obese person who would become more fit--more productive if his calorie intake was reduced. That illustration brought him to his discussion of a fair or flat tax and the concept of tithing 10%--that all would pay the same percentage. Who could be more fair than God?, he asked.  The crowd applauded enthusiastically. 

He touched on how Americans are a unique people where the wealthy give of their wealth and the churches and other independent groups care for the needy--we don't need government to do this, he stressed. Then added as government gets bigger, people's rights get smaller. Freedom: Not a Democrat or Republican thing--it is an American people thing!  He spoke out against the divisiveness of our President.

This brought him to the topic of healthcare. He warned, when government is in charge of health care, the government controls you!  In light of the recent IRS scandals, this warning was far more ominous than it would have been a few weeks ago.  As a physician, Dr. Carson is very familiar with the problems of providing health care and the high cost of having a middleman who dictates what coverage will cost. This is why he favors a system of health savings accounts for every individual.

Dr. Carson mentioned his 5th book that he wrote with his wife Candy: "America the Beautiful"- rediscovering this great nation. Then Dr. Carson stated in his quiet but pointed way, "We need not be ashamed of the fact we believe in God."  The crowd jumped to their feet and applauded; it was the most enthusiastic standing ovation of the evening.

Once the audience settled, he added, One of the reasons we [as a nation] rose the way we did was because God was looking out for us.  He explained that was the reason he and Candy put in so many quotes in America the Beautiful about God. Their next book will be titled, "Saving Our Future."

No doubt about it, Dr. Benjamin Carson is a fascinating man. He is soft spoken but not afraid to speak out about what is right, even in front of the President.  If you ever have a chance to see him in person, go!

I became aware of his amazing life story at Christmas when I was given a DVD entitled, Gifted Hands. (It is based on his book of the same title.) Thomas Sowell of National Review says this,
"A remarkable book titled “Gifted Hands” tells the personal story of Benjamin Carson, a black kid from the Detroit ghetto who went on to become a renowned neurosurgeon. At one time young Ben Carson had the lowest grades in his middle-school class and was the butt of teasing by his white classmates. ...Fortunately for him, his mother, whose own education went no further than the third grade, insisted that he was smart. She cut off the television set and made him and his brother hit the books — books that she herself could scarcely read."  I haven't read the book yet but the DVD was outstanding--Cuba Gooding Jr. plays Dr. Carson.  The DVD also includes interviews with the real Dr. Carson, his mother and wife. (The Waukesha library system has it in their collection.)

Benjamin Carson has a truly inspirational life story. Now that he has entered the arena of politics, it would seem there are more chapters to be added to his story.

More Reading:
MacIver Institute: Dr. Ben Carson Calls for Smaller Government and Flat, Fair Tax
Dr. Ben Carson to Deliver Message of Fiscal Conservatism on Thursday in Wisconsin

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