God Bless America!

You don't have to agree with Obama politically to feel the excitement of yesterday's historic milestone. I was very touched watching the first black president-elect address the country. It was moving. It was historic. And I was grateful for the proof that the American dream is real and truly available to all.

What a blessing to live in this great country. I started to tear up as I walked into the little church around the corner to vote. No threat of violence. We are free to think and decide according to our own conscience.

Now I will just hope that our new president didn't really mean what he said during the campaign about shutting down the coal industry, taxing businesses, redistributing wealth and universal health care.

And God bless America!

Just some thoughts

I have really felt a lot of confusion this election. Not necessarily about who I am planning on voting for, but really about how so many of us can so strongly disagree on what is best for our country and our families.

Honestly. If you happen to stumble across this post and disagree with my thoughts, I would love to hear some of your reasons for your support of other ideas. Just please be civil ;-)

Because one of my main causes for confusion is this...since when is it ok to vote to take property from somebody else? I understand that many that support the idea that the "rich" should have to give more because they have more and that those that don't have as much should be helped. It ends up being somewhat of a moral argument...or the word that I have heard from both Obama and Biden..."fair." That it is our duty to sacrifice so others are taken care of.

The crazy thing is that I believe that statement in a different context. I believe that to those that are given much, much is expected. I am personally striving to be a compassionate, giving person. And I would have to say that I have a long way to go before I can even see Mother Teresa in the distance.

But I believe that the decision to give what we have to others should be a personal decision. Our household (as I'm sure most of yours' do) willingly gives a percentage of what we have annually to charitable endeavors. But that is a personal decision made by me and my husband. I strongly believe that the idea that the government can force people to support others is completely contrary to the spirit and wording of the Constitution. To maintain the freedom that this country has enjoyed for over 200 years, the people must remain free from excessive government involvement. Everytime the government gives us something, even protection, we are giving something back in return...some freedom. Obviously there are some necessary give and takes. But we should not sell our freedom for a mess of pottage!

And the idea that a politician can come in and promise to help you by pledging someone else's money is very disturbing to me. This politician gets all the credit for being compassionate and generous without giving one cent of his own money, but instead by using somebody else's money. And these days, it seems like this happens on both sides of the political spectrum. Politicians seem to think they have to buy our votes. That they have to promise more spending and more favors for each of us.

I do not want anything extra from the government!

If we feel strongly that people need help, then we, individually, should decide to help them. We can start foundations, donate money, give our time to volunteer. But the government should never force anybody to do those things.

People are balking at using the term socialism to describe Obama's ideology of "redistributing the wealth." That is because here in the US, socialism carries a very negative idea with many people. However, can somebody explain to me how this idea that everybody is forced--by the government--to share their excess with those who have less-- is not the equivalent of socialism? As I understand it, socialists believe that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society which results in an unequal society. They advocate the creation of a society in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly.

Friedrich Hayek argued that the social control over distribution of wealth and private property advocated by socialists cannot be achieved without reduced prosperity for the general populace, and a loss of political and economic freedoms.

But the idea sure sounds good, doesn't it? It sounds nice. It sounds compassionate. It sounds like if you don't support it, you are greedy. I mean, why wouldn't you vote to help somebody out? Are you so greedy? But the ideas that surround socialism are empty promises. Every time a society has embraced socialism, the results include stagnanted growth, less for everybody, shortages. I lived in Venezuela before Chavez and I visited after Chavez. I talked to person after person, none of which had much to begin with, who talked about the new difficulties introduced because of Chavez' socialist agenda. Those who had less before have even less now.

And I am having a hard time understanding why so many people feel that it is ok. History does not support socialism. Why would it be any different for us? The basic premise is based on what I consider immoral...forced distribution. Unless you can voluntarily join the "group", forced giving seems so wrong to me.

And this is where it really gets confusing to me.

I go through both sides of the argument logically and I cannot come up with historic evidence, current evidence, moral evidence, or economic evidence that supports this redistribution of wealth idea. All I can see is that it sounds good and nice, so people don't care that it doesn't really work. And they focus on the niceness of it...the "fairness" of it...and they forget that the central issue is not about being nice and fair. We should all be nice and fair and generous. The issue is that the government should not be enforcing fairness by being unfair to some. The government should not be determining whose "needs" are greater. That is not the role of the government of the United States of America as established by the Constitution.

And one more thing ;-)....

If you are going to pledge others' money, there should be a requirement that you first have to pledge your own. If you truly believe that there is a need for monetary help...donate your money! The politicians (and Hollywood for that matter. Why do we hear about evil CEOs that make a lot of money, but no mention of Hollywood and athletes who make just as much and more money. I honestly don't get it. Personally, I don't care if someone makes a lot of money. I don't think money makes somebody evil. But if you're going to attack the wealthy, why are the job-creating CEOs the evil ones?) that speak so negatively about the "rich" usually live in a very nice, at least million dollar homes. I am not one to judge somebody else's house. Because in my opinion, it is your decision how you spend your money. But if you are out there preaching that we need to sacrifice in the name of fairness, then be the first in line. Sell your large home and buy something more modest. Donate the money to a cause that you care about. Be an example of sacrifice.

Because that is what this country is about in my opinion. Each individual has the ability and power and freedom to make a difference. To create change. It should not be the government, or one politician, making the changes for us. It should be each of us, individually doing our part voluntarily, that can create change. In our neighborhoods, in our homes, in our schools. Do not wait for government to do it for you. You have the ability to make it happen. And if somebody tells you that you need the government because you cannot do it yourself, prove them wrong. Because they are wrong.

If this is about compassion, be compassionate. But do not steal from somebody else to make yourself look compassionate when you have not donated your own wealth first.

And finally (yes, I am finally done with this rant!) a quote that has been attributed to Alexander Fraser Tyler,

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over lousy fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average of the world's great civilizations before they decline has been 200 years."

Politics according to the pros

I am hearing, breathing, thinking, dreaming politics these days. I try to tune out the voices in my head, but without much luck.

In the wake of this huge bailout bill passed today in the House and amidst much of the liberal soundbites floating around the media, I just wanted to share a few quotes by two of, in my opinion, the greatest presidents ever: Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan.

I was too young to really remember Reagan as president, but it was reading Ronald Reagan's speeches that solidified my conservative views and beliefs. And after reading Team of Rivals, a biography of Lincoln, he is now one of my most admired leaders. (I also highly recommend Reagan's biography When Character Was King by Peggy Noonan)

And I feel like they had several things in common.

• They were very clever and funny. They could make almost any tense situation comfortable and pleasant just by their manner and humor. Neither took himself too seriously.
  
• They had an unusually clear vision of what they saw as right and were able to convey that to the people they spoke to. And they were not afraid to stand by what they believed was right. Neither seemed to have much of a personal agenda for power. Instead, they were standing by the right thing, sometimes at the risk of losing their political power.
• They believed in the individual and felt that a government that thought it could take care of a person better than that person could take care of himself, was dangerous.
  
• And I personally believe that both men were prepared for the great work that each of them did. They were exactly the right person at the right place and time to work a miracle. For Lincoln, it was preserving the nation and ending the awful practice of slavery. For Reagan, it was stopping the spread and power of Communism, and literally bringing down the wall that kept so many in bondage.

So here it is according to them:

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. --Abraham Lincoln

I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.--Abraham Lincoln

"We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man , and the to do as he pleases with himself and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name - liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names - liberty and tyranny." -- Abraham Lincoln

Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves. -- Ronald Reagan

Man is not free unless government is limited.... As government expands, liberty contracts.--Ronald Reagan

You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream -- the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order -- or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on this downward path. Plutarch warned, 'The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits.'--Ronald Reagan

So they're going to solve all the problems of human misery through government and government planning. Well, now, if government planning and welfare had the answer -- and they've had almost 30 years of it -- shouldn't we expect government to read the score to us once in a while? Shouldn't they be telling us about the decline each year in the number of people needing help? The reduction in the need for public housing? But the reverse is true. Each year the need grows greater; the program grows greater.--Ronald Reagan

You have to watch this!

I was so moved by this clip that I came across on my friend Cheri's blog, that I had to pass it on:

Go to this site and see what the Catholics have done to encourage their 67 million people on election day. They don't tell them how to vote, but they sure do get their message across...

Click here: http://www.catholicvote.com/

***editor's note: Not that it in any way changes the impact, this clip did not originate with the Catholic Church. It was put out by Fidelis, a 527 organization whose purpose is to promote life and family.

Celebrating freedom

Love my mom's flower pots!

I love the 4th of July. Who doesn't like a good red, white and blue combo. Add in the BBQs, watermelon, swimming, and a good fireworks show and you have one great day. Not to mention that I am passionate about what we are celebrating...freedom, independence, sacrifice, founding fathers, divine intervention and inspiration.

In a very prescient comment to his wife in a letter home on July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote:

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

And that is exactly what we are doing today!

We were in Utah this 4th of July. My whole family was together except for JB and Chelsee and family (we missed you guys!) and we spent most of the day outside...just the way I like it.

The cousins had a great time drawing on the cement with chalk, playing with trains (Andrew's idea of course), playing with barbies (Grace's idea), and then the center attraction...

the waterslide!!

After a great BBQ complete with corn on the cob and homemade ice cream (thanks mom!), we all gathered around for a fireworks show in the backyard starring...

the Costco package of fireworks.

It was quite the show. Thanks to Jim for risking his fingers and lighting them all.

Andrew was not loving the loudness of the occasion, but gradually worked his way off Dad's lap. His hands didn't leave his ears, but he did keep saying how much he loved the fireworks. Hmmm...

The biggest fan of the backyard show was James. He LOVED it. He jumped and kicked and laughed and smiled the entire time and knew when a new one was about to be lit. Then he would sit and watch and listen as it popped, flared and finally fizzled. And he got to showcase his newly acquired skill...the clap.

Finally, we made our way over to my dad's office to watch Sandy's fireworks extravaganza. It was a great show, perfect view (of about 4 different shows), and watching from inside was just the right volume level for Andrew...low.

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. -Erma Bombeck

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! -Thomas Jefferson

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. --Abraham Lincoln

God bless America!!

Political rantings

I care much too much about politics. And tonight I'm watching the news through the cracks in my hand held over my face. I can't stay away from it, but I can hardly watch the news because I don't like what I am seeing.

To me, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are inspired documents--the men who wrote and shaped them were directed, led and inspired by God. I value and treasure the freedoms I enjoy daily because of the inspired words and ideas of these documents.

Such as:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed. (Declaration of Independence)

Or this one: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances (1st Amendment)

I believe in the idea that our founding fathers had--that the power lies in the people and that any power held by the "government" is given to it by the people. In fact, many of the founding fathers were concerned about conceding any individual rights/power to a federal government. Of course I want to give power to the government to raise up armies to protect the nation. I am willing to pay the government to provide fire service, police protection, and even to make the city where I live look beautiful with trees, grass (a little bit here in good ol' AZ) and parks.

But my skin starts to itch and the hair on my neck stands straight up when I hear politicians promising that the government will take care of every problem I have or may ever have. Are they saying that the government can solve all my problems? That a government program can help me to have more patience with my three little ones or give me more energy so that I can do the best I can each day to provide fun, positive, learning experiences for my kids? That I am not capable of getting through hard times without help from the government?

I know that many people seem to feel like life is very hard for them. And I know that although I have my pity-party moments when life can feel hard for me too, I do feel very blessed with a nice home, a good husband, a safe neighborhood, an education, a strong moral code, even a mom and dad that are still happily married, and I guess the list could go on. But how can the government be the answer to hard things? How can people feel inspired by someone who is saying, "I know you can't do it on your own and you don't have to...give us your money and the ok, and we'll do everything for you?"

To me, the inspiring thing to hear is, "You can do it. You live in a land of unlimited opportunities. There is nothing that you can't do if you set your mind to it. Hard things will not get in your way, they will make you stronger, more compassionate. You will have a unique perspective because of your difficult experiences. And I will make sure the government does not get in your way. A large government can never make as good decisions for you as you can make for yourself. And as you become more compassionate through your struggles, look around and help your neighbor if you see that he or she is in need of a helping hand."

It seems that the "populist" rhetoric is sounding pretty good to a lot of people during these primaries. People like hearing that the government will "tax the rich" or make sure they never have to pay a mortgage payment again. They like feeling that they don't have to do it "alone." And these "populists" are viewed as compassionate. But how can somebody really be generous or compassionate with somebody else's money? And isn't that what money from taxpayers is? Isn't it my money and your money? I really enjoyed this account. I feel that we are slowly inching away from feeling any individual responsibility for helping those in need because we expect that the government will take care of everyone. And those who receive help from the government are starting to feel entitled to that help; are becoming dependent on that help; and are missing out on the feeling of gratitude for the help because the faces of all the donors (the taxpayers) are hidden behind the government label. People forget that somebody...not the government...is paying for all the programs.

Aside from the issue of the money spent, it is the entitlement mentality that is slowly eroding the character of the current generations (yes, me included!) It seems that those of us living in the United States feel that we should be entitled to happiness, ease of living, cable tv, high speed internet, and did I mention happiness? And hard work has been erased from the definition of happiness.

I love to read. And many of the books I am drawn to and think about over and over again are those in which the main character does not have an ideal life. In fact, life is really hard. By today's standards, the character should need years of therapy to overcome the hardships he or she had to deal with. However, in these books, it is the hard experiences of life that result in the success and the formation of character.

For example, in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (SPOILER warning if you haven't read the book) the main character grows up in poverty in New York. She has to fight for an education, her father is a drunk, she goes to work at an early age. It seems that life is not fair to her (it seems that her situation is a hard one). However, she works hard, her experiences give her a unique writing style and material to write about, she learns many valuable things from her mother who taught her to work and save money, and even from her father who really loved and understood her in his own way, and in the end her success is even more sweet because of what she has been through to get there.

Do we want to be robbed of that feeling of real success? Because I believe that is what happens when the government steps in and tries to "fix" all your problems and hard things.

Also, in "Team of Rivals" which is a biography of Abraham Lincoln, we read about the men who were competing with Lincoln for the Republican nomination and then later became members of Lincoln's cabinet. All of them had experienced very hard things in their lives, including always the death of at least one person very close to them. Lincoln lived in poverty and he lost his mother, his sister, a woman he probably would have married and children. He had a poor relationship with his father and his wife had some pretty major issues as well. But Lincoln, the amazing leader, scholar, person of great compassion was created by each of his difficult experiences. Would we dare rob him of any of his hard things? Because maybe he would not have been fit for the great responsibility he had to hold this country together while ridding it of slavery if he had not had each of his difficult experiences.

As I stood in line today to vote, I looked around at the people waiting to vote. I saw large ones, skinny ones, short ones, tall ones. Some had a lot of hair, some were bald. Some had permed hair, some wore it straight. I looked around and wondered what each of those people felt. What were their "hard things." Was the woman three people in front of me a single mom? Was the man across the way struggling to make ends meet? Did the large man have a job? I felt a desire to sit down and really find out what they were experiencing day-to-day.

And I wanted to find out if they were voting for someone they felt would somehow make their life easier. And if so, why? Why would they trust a stranger to take care of them?

And then I wanted to tell them that if it was hard, they could do it. That if it seemed black today, it would be better tomorrow. That they had the ability to make it work. That all of these experiences would make them better in the long run.

I wish there were more candidates out there who had the courage to steer clear of promises of additional government intervention and help and programs and instead could instill a sense of power into each person that would help them to reach their potential. I mean, it's the same with my kids. If I give them everything they want, with no consequences and no expectations, they will most likely have a hard time learning self-mastery and will have a hard time reaching their highest potential.

Maybe this is getting a little hokey, and a lot long. But I just had to get some of my conservative rantings out because looking at the primary results so far, I feel like nobody is listening!!