Well, here I am back after a lovely summer break...
And, I'm scared.
I'm scared for our country. I see the protests in Greece and the rioting in London and I wonder when we'll sink to that level. We're on our way there, you know.
Here's the problem: government cannot support people, only people can support people. Programs can't be the answer, people have to be the answer.
We have trained a generation of workers here, and for a longer time in more Socialized Europe, that you don't need to strive, or work hard or worry about falling through the cracks because the government will support you. They will "come along side" you and offer a hand up. Only problem is that "hand up" turns into a "hand out" and pretty soon a temporary safety net turns into a permanent benefit. And that permanent benefit morphs into a "right" and then, near the end of it all, when people feel their "rights" are being taken away from them, they fight back.
That's what's going on in Europe. That's what's going to happen here.
There is no way to prepare for it. Our politicians are useless. Both sides of the aisle proved that when they threw the needs the United States as a whole into the trash bin and got us a AA+ credit rating, the first time in history the USA hasn't been a AAA+.
The Dow is falling. Again. Any gains yesterday were lost today. Minutes to the bell and it's down 500 pts. Your IRA and 401K and stocks are worth less and may soon be worthless.
I have friends hoarding food. I have friends burying ammunition on their property. I have other friends screaming for union rights and socialized medicine. I think the grocery stashers and arsenal diggers may be more sane than my Liberal friends who can't seem to see reality no matter how clearly it's spelled out for them. I am ceasing to feel sorry for my Liberal friends, whom I truly love, I really do (!!) but they are beyond misguided...they are blind.
Even an agenda-pushing press can't sugarcoat what's happening. Liberal Socialist policies cannot work. People have to work!
So, I'm scared and waiting. Waiting to see where it hits here first.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Free Speech is Dead on College Campuses!
Click Here: Banning Conservative Speech, But Not "Free Speech!" Harumph!
Check out this link above. You will amazed at the double standard on our college campuses! The kids and profs rally to sign a petition banning conservative talk show hosts while proclaiming they support Free Speech.
Many of us have been saying this for a long time, that this is what students are being taught: Free Speech is only acceptable when it's "approved" speech. Differing points of view are simply not recognized as Free Speech.
Liberal points of view are the only acceptable Free Speech allowed, and anything that goes against Liberal thinking is not only wrong, but should be banned.
We are headed down a very sad road. I'm sorry to say that the Thought Police have grown generations of intolerant Liberals.
Conservatives have a simple view: build up their fellow man. Liberals have a simple view: prop up their fellow man.
Now, why must we ban Conservatives who wish to promote self-worth in our fellow man through hard work and ability to succeed?
I wish more people understood the "teach a man to fish vs. give a man a fish" proverb. We really would make this country great if we lived by this. And in doing so, we would have ample resources to share with the world, and then build them up as well.
Check out this link above. You will amazed at the double standard on our college campuses! The kids and profs rally to sign a petition banning conservative talk show hosts while proclaiming they support Free Speech.
Many of us have been saying this for a long time, that this is what students are being taught: Free Speech is only acceptable when it's "approved" speech. Differing points of view are simply not recognized as Free Speech.
Liberal points of view are the only acceptable Free Speech allowed, and anything that goes against Liberal thinking is not only wrong, but should be banned.
We are headed down a very sad road. I'm sorry to say that the Thought Police have grown generations of intolerant Liberals.
Conservatives have a simple view: build up their fellow man. Liberals have a simple view: prop up their fellow man.
Now, why must we ban Conservatives who wish to promote self-worth in our fellow man through hard work and ability to succeed?
I wish more people understood the "teach a man to fish vs. give a man a fish" proverb. We really would make this country great if we lived by this. And in doing so, we would have ample resources to share with the world, and then build them up as well.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Mucking Things Up!
Economists Timothy Conley and Bill Dupor are out with a study on the impact of Obama's $800B Stimulus Package.
Results in a nutshell: The pkg created or saved 450,000 government jobs, and forestalled or destroyed 1,000,000 private sector jobs.
Have you read Ayn Rand lately?
We are headed down a path of destruction for this country if we continue to hire people in the public arena and don't foster job growth in private industry.
The Department of Labor noted that 244,000 jobs were created in March 2011. The Meeedia (and I use that term with much sarcasm) called it "surprising strong" and "better than expected." HA! Robert Reich the noted economist has said that the US needs to add 300,000 jobs every month for five years (that's 5 yrs!) just to get unemployment under 6%.
The problem is that Americans need to look at facts not talking points. We need to look at numbers not politician's smiling faces. We need to look at statistics and real data not simply tow our political lines.
I am disgusted with BOTH parties right now, Republican and Democrat because the politicians' focus is on their mirrors not on us average Americans!
We need MORE than a Tea Party movement. We need a Bi-Partisan Movement Enacting Term Limits to get these career politicians out of their plush arrangements and get some real workers in there to do what's best for ALL of us!
Unfortunately, they keep us at war with one another to distract us into thinking we need to WIN! We have to beat the other side. Our side is best! Our side rules! We won the election! We're on the winning team!
But, it's just distraction. So, we don't see what their left hands are doing.
Results in a nutshell: The pkg created or saved 450,000 government jobs, and forestalled or destroyed 1,000,000 private sector jobs.
Have you read Ayn Rand lately?
We are headed down a path of destruction for this country if we continue to hire people in the public arena and don't foster job growth in private industry.
The Department of Labor noted that 244,000 jobs were created in March 2011. The Meeedia (and I use that term with much sarcasm) called it "surprising strong" and "better than expected." HA! Robert Reich the noted economist has said that the US needs to add 300,000 jobs every month for five years (that's 5 yrs!) just to get unemployment under 6%.
The problem is that Americans need to look at facts not talking points. We need to look at numbers not politician's smiling faces. We need to look at statistics and real data not simply tow our political lines.
I am disgusted with BOTH parties right now, Republican and Democrat because the politicians' focus is on their mirrors not on us average Americans!
We need MORE than a Tea Party movement. We need a Bi-Partisan Movement Enacting Term Limits to get these career politicians out of their plush arrangements and get some real workers in there to do what's best for ALL of us!
Unfortunately, they keep us at war with one another to distract us into thinking we need to WIN! We have to beat the other side. Our side is best! Our side rules! We won the election! We're on the winning team!
But, it's just distraction. So, we don't see what their left hands are doing.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Manipulation
Anna's class for our homeschool co-op was to be on stage to sing a song.
Anna: I have stage fright, I'm not going to do it.
Me: Oh, mommy and daddy will be disappointed not to be proud of you on stage. (Yes, parental manipulation!)
Anna: Well, maybe I could close my eyes.
Me: That sounds like a good idea. You do it if you want to. (If I manipulate them into something, I always offer an out.)
So, she was up on stage last night singing her song. And, we were proud parents. Who forgot the camera, but took pictures in our minds.
Anna: I have stage fright, I'm not going to do it.
Me: Oh, mommy and daddy will be disappointed not to be proud of you on stage. (Yes, parental manipulation!)
Anna: Well, maybe I could close my eyes.
Me: That sounds like a good idea. You do it if you want to. (If I manipulate them into something, I always offer an out.)
So, she was up on stage last night singing her song. And, we were proud parents. Who forgot the camera, but took pictures in our minds.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Purging
Purging can be freeing and wildly difficult.
I'm getting rid of stuff that's become clutter but it's hard. With many items I have to break the emotional bond I've created with the piece in order to sell it, give it away or simply toss it. If you're like me, you understand, you have a connection with a coffee cup or a desk or a figurine, and it's real and tangible like a relationship.
With some things they're easy to keep, the desk my grandpa made in the 1920's, or my grandma's chocolate set. Things I really can't find a place for in my home, but, man, to get rid of them would be pure sacrilege.
Other stuff I just like. The great lines on a piece of furniture that takes up valuable square footage in my smallish house. And, some things to which I've just grown accustomed. They've always been around, and so they will continue to be around.
But, I need to make some major changes. The liklihood of us moving are dimmer and dimmer. So, I need to really make this place my home, not just my 5 year house where I store my stuff until we move. (Which is how I've been living for 8 years now.)
I'm purging. And, fretting about purging. And, trying to figure out how to get rid of this stuff that I've accumulated and no longer need or use. It starts with cutting the emotional bonds I've made with the things. I need to set them free so I can be free.
I'm getting rid of stuff that's become clutter but it's hard. With many items I have to break the emotional bond I've created with the piece in order to sell it, give it away or simply toss it. If you're like me, you understand, you have a connection with a coffee cup or a desk or a figurine, and it's real and tangible like a relationship.
With some things they're easy to keep, the desk my grandpa made in the 1920's, or my grandma's chocolate set. Things I really can't find a place for in my home, but, man, to get rid of them would be pure sacrilege.
Other stuff I just like. The great lines on a piece of furniture that takes up valuable square footage in my smallish house. And, some things to which I've just grown accustomed. They've always been around, and so they will continue to be around.
But, I need to make some major changes. The liklihood of us moving are dimmer and dimmer. So, I need to really make this place my home, not just my 5 year house where I store my stuff until we move. (Which is how I've been living for 8 years now.)
I'm purging. And, fretting about purging. And, trying to figure out how to get rid of this stuff that I've accumulated and no longer need or use. It starts with cutting the emotional bonds I've made with the things. I need to set them free so I can be free.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Beach House 2006-2011
They grew up here...
The kids at my parent's Beach House, April 2007.
Our last trip to my parent's Beach House, April 2011.
A lifetime of memories.
I think it's interesting that the first pic was taken in the early morning, and the last pic was taken in the evening, just before dinner. In one, the Beach House was new to us, full of hope for many fun vacations and special times there visiting Grampa and Gramma in the upcoming the years. You can see the early pink sky and pale light cast on the pond while the kids, wearing their pj's, watch the sea birds come to eat their breakfast fish. In the other, you can sense the day ending. See how the kids are drawn together, touching at the shoulders, leaning into one another, expressing a closeness to each other and their surroundings. Long shadows dominate the scene as the sun makes it's way westward mimicking our goodbye.
And, the bright sunny days on the beach fade off into the sunset.
Thank you, Grampa and Gramma for many wonderful years and a lifetime of memories!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Biker Dudes and Rich Old Broads
I've always had the ability to befriend just about anyone. I don't mean that in an egotistical way, I mean I just don't "have a problem" with too many people. I could be friends with nearly everyone.
Of course, "nearly everyone" doesn't necessarily want to be friends with me.
I used to be offended by that, but then I realized that most people have standards. I don't have many standards when it comes to other people. I'm fascinated by the differences in all of us. However, mostly people want to hang out with those who are like them. They like similarities not differences.
To each his own. But, I also feel sorry for those people. I mean, what fun is it to hang out with carbon copies of themselves? I wouldn't want to spend time with a clone of me. I'm not that interesting. Maybe that's why "nearly everyone" doesn't want to be my friend--ha! And, I'm okay with that, but give me a rich old broad, a biker dude, an uptight accountant and a pitcher of Margs and I'll show you the best night of your life.
Maybe I--and others like me--are not the abnormal ones. Maybe if more "nearly everyones" just eased out of their comfort zones and befriended someone totally different than themselves, they'd discover that we're really not so different.
My husband quoted Shakespeare last night (yes, gasp! in and of itself), but I noted that the line he spoke was written over 400 years ago, in English, and it's still true today. Human experience is universal. Sure, our packages, our expressions, and our demeanors are different, but we still love, laugh, grieve and seethe.
Humans are the same wherever they may be, and no one is better than another. We are on an equal playing field, and if some of our species wants to pretend that they have something that lifts them above others, whether it be race, religion, talents, money, position, power, or whatnot, then they are just lying to themselves.
We are more alike than we are different. Go ahead, I'd say to those people, stretch yourself, reach out to others, not to serve them (as in I'm serving the poor), not to experiement with them (as in I'll regard them but not interact with them), but to really see them.
Of course, "nearly everyone" doesn't necessarily want to be friends with me.
I used to be offended by that, but then I realized that most people have standards. I don't have many standards when it comes to other people. I'm fascinated by the differences in all of us. However, mostly people want to hang out with those who are like them. They like similarities not differences.
To each his own. But, I also feel sorry for those people. I mean, what fun is it to hang out with carbon copies of themselves? I wouldn't want to spend time with a clone of me. I'm not that interesting. Maybe that's why "nearly everyone" doesn't want to be my friend--ha! And, I'm okay with that, but give me a rich old broad, a biker dude, an uptight accountant and a pitcher of Margs and I'll show you the best night of your life.
Maybe I--and others like me--are not the abnormal ones. Maybe if more "nearly everyones" just eased out of their comfort zones and befriended someone totally different than themselves, they'd discover that we're really not so different.
My husband quoted Shakespeare last night (yes, gasp! in and of itself), but I noted that the line he spoke was written over 400 years ago, in English, and it's still true today. Human experience is universal. Sure, our packages, our expressions, and our demeanors are different, but we still love, laugh, grieve and seethe.
Humans are the same wherever they may be, and no one is better than another. We are on an equal playing field, and if some of our species wants to pretend that they have something that lifts them above others, whether it be race, religion, talents, money, position, power, or whatnot, then they are just lying to themselves.
We are more alike than we are different. Go ahead, I'd say to those people, stretch yourself, reach out to others, not to serve them (as in I'm serving the poor), not to experiement with them (as in I'll regard them but not interact with them), but to really see them.
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