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Come what may

Posted by Jen B on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:11:41 PM

Early this morning, as I drove my usual route to work, I took notice of my polling place – it was overflowing. It was full of citizens exercising their right to speak on who they would like to lead their country. I couldn’t help but swell with pride for my fellow citizens and their willingness to make their voices heard. But as I continued down the road, I couldn’t help but think, ‘could this be the last time we hold elections?’ I know it may sound far fetched; but truly if we consider how governments have fallen in the past, all we need do is look at how one charismatic leader gained power and then later silenced dissention. I’m not saying that is what is going to happen, but I feel that our Constitution is in danger and that is the very document that is supposed to protect us from an overreaching government. I hear some people say, ‘what’s wrong with socialism?’ Really, are you kidding me? I would only have to say, ‘Okay. So, why do so many Cubans risk sailing to the US on makeshift rafts in shark infested waters? Are they testing their nautical abilities? I think not. Why did so many Russians risk their lives to defect and come into freedom? Did they really want to pole-vault a brick wall? No, I don’t think so.’ Socialism is only the beginning to something bigger and meaner, especially when there is absolute power given to one party. Our Founding Fathers warned us so long ago to avoid despotism.

I too went and cast my vote at Noon this 4th day of November, 2008. And now all I can do is pray that God’s Will is done…Come what may, I shall stand with my fellow Americans for my God and my country – Let Freedom Ring!

Words of wisdom from George Washington’s Farewell Address

“Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

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Surely you jest, Madame Speaker

Posted by Jen B on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 2:16:10 PM
I can't help but laugh at the comment Speaker Pelosi made about how when the Dems rule the Congress with a supermajority they will be more bipartisan. Yeah, okay. I believe you the Speaker of the 'most ethical' Congress in U.S. History. How's that investigation of Charlie Rangel coming? What? There isn't an investigation. Okay, okay. But since he evaded tax laws, you did tell him to step down from his chairmanship of the House Ways and Means committee that actually writes the tax code. Right? How about the investigation and hearings into the collapse of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? What? None there either. Alright. How about asking Rep. William Jefferson from Louisianna to give up his leadership seat after being investigated for corruption? I understand that your 9% approval rating for the most 'do nothing' Congress in U.S. history might sound okay; however, public schools did manage to teach some of us that 9% out of 100% is not a good mark. But hey, you know what, let's give them a trophy and a pat on the back for the great job they're doing. I'm sure they'll be more bipartisan in the next Congress; especially if they have a fillbuster proof Senate. They've done a great 9% job so far. They can only improve from here...can't they?
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And now I remember why I stopped watching network news...

Posted by Jen B on Saturday, September 13, 2008 9:12:00 PM
Well, last night I sat down and pain-stakingly watched Charlie Gibson's "interview" of Sarah Palin. I say pain-stakingly because I started to develop chest pains from yelling at the television. I wanted to give Gibson a chance and see how he treated Palin in this interview. I like to see things for myself and make up my own mind about it. Well, let me just say, did anyone else imagine an old woman staring down her glasses at you telling you, "you don't know what you're talking about, dearie." I swear I don't think I've ever seen an interview where the interviewer had such condescension in his tone. Don't get me wrong, interviews should have tough and honest questions. But Gibson didn't ask honest questions, and a lot of the time his arrogance permeated through his speech. Not only were some of his 'facts' incorrect, something that could have been checked on various non-partisan websites like FactCheck.org, but his apparent disdain for even being in Alaska came across to me (sparcely populated state comment). I don't know, maybe it was just me.
 
First, the biography at the beginning didn't bring out all the facts and seemed to smack her in the face. Second, his questions were not framed very well. I was an English major in college, and while I wasn't in broadcasting, we did do quite a bit of interviews, peer reviews, etc. It seemed to me that he didn't really want honest answers, he just wanted to trap her in something that he could brag about later. Perhaps the question, if you can call it that, was when he asked her about her/McCain's tax policy. He described Obama's tax plan and said that 'clearly this would benefit the middle class...' I couldn't believe the way he framed that question. When in fact, earlier in the primaries Obama was caught in sayin that 'raising taxes wasn't about increasing government revenue but instead it was about fairness' (I am paraphrasing what he said when he was informed that raising taxes does not increase government revenues, tax cuts do.)  But something Gibson forgot to say in the interview was that Obama recently said he wouldn't rescind Bush's tax cuts on the 'wealthy 1 percent' if there was a recession. That naturally begs the question, why raise taxes then at all.
 
So, to make a long story short, I think Gibson looked down his nose at her as a small town gal, who doesn't know her foreign or domestic policy because she hasn't met the right people. But how is it that she actually described the NATO agreement more accurately than Mr. Gibson did. We small town gals may not have met world leaders, or traveled to foreign countries extensively; however, amazingly enough we know how to read, which can open doors to almost every corner of the world. I would say that Sarah Palin did very well with the questions she had to work with. I don't think Gibson did himself any favors in his interview. I think he came across very arrogant, perturbed, and very condenscending. I really think all of this disdain and mocking from the 'Left Wing' is going to backfire on them.
 
We shall see in a little over 50 days.
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McCain's speech...Part 2

Posted by Jen B on Saturday, September 06, 2008 11:52:46 AM
Okay, so on my last post I gave some of the points that I liked in McCain's speech. In this posting, I'm going to tell you what I didn't like. First, please tell me where in the Constitution it says that the Federal Government is to provide unemployment pay for people who recently lost their jobs. Is this the job of the Federal Government? I can't seem to find that clause in the Constitution. This responsibility should be the individuals, or in the grander scheme of things perhaps the State government, if they so desire to do it. And then, when he spoke about the Feds paying the difference of your previous job and what you receive on unemployment. Really? How is this the Federal Government's role?
 
Next, I understand the Workfare programs, etc. I would rather help people gain education to see them succeed in a higher paying job. Plus, they gain the self-esteem and pride to go out and make something of themselves. However, how should this be done Federally? Should this be the Federal Government's role? Or, should it be the State's role? Local government's role? If we are using community colleges in the equation, shouldn't it be left up to the local and state government's? And if it is the state and local government's responsibility, should the Federal government provide any kind of funding?
 
I think something that we as Americans have come to expect is that our Federal Government should pay the bills of programs that are provided to us. And I think that it has stemmed and grown from the time of the New Deal in the 1930's. Look at people's dependence upon Social Security as an example. We have come to expect that our government will make provisions for us. Why? If our politicians or the citizenry had rejected the 'entitlement mentality' would our political system be the same? I'm not so sure it would be. Of course, we'd have some corrupt politicans, etc., but would we have so many special interest groups. Probably not.The Federal Government should provide a strong defense and promote the general welfare of the country (infrastructure, border security, etc.).
 
I realize that there isn't a perfect candidate that has done everything we wish them to have done, and agree with us 100%. If there was, we'd be running for political offices ourselves. What we need to do as concerned citizens is 'hold their feet to the fire'.
 
While John McCain chastized the Republican party for losing their way when they went to Washington, we as citizens are held responsible as well for sending the same politicians to Washtington over and over and over and over again. We need to become more involved and hold them accountable. Tell them that we don't want earmark spending! Tell them to provide for our soldiers and give them the best that they can have! Tell them to stop catering to lobbyists and media outlets, but instead, look to their constituents! Tell them that if they don't listen to their constituents they should start packing up their office!
 
WE THE PEOPLE need to take back our government and remind them who THEY WORK FOR! WE ARE THE BOSSES!
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McCain's speech...Part I

Posted by Jen B on Friday, September 05, 2008 9:29:59 PM
John McCain did a decent job of speaking last night. I did, however, have some issues with what he said in certain parts. First, let me look at the positives that were in his speech: economy (taxes); education; attacking the Republican party for not holding to principles; and love of and service to country. First, let's look at taxes. I believe if he wants to show true reform, he needs to take the tax code and throw it out the window. I would like to hear some talk of a flat tax. I know this might be a long shot, but I really think that this is a better system to adhere to, if we have to continue the income tax. Second, education and school choice. I think that school choice is an excellent idea. I'm in the frame of mind that if I were to have children of school age at this very moment I would make sure I could home school them. Don't get me wrong there are good public school teachers out there (my sister was an excellent teacher, even though we usually disagree politically, I still know she did her best to teach her students); however, the public school system is in need of major revamping. And I think the best way to make changes to something is to make sure there is competition. Third, the Republican party needs to remember its guiding principles. Before this horrible Democratic Congress, the GOP controlled Congress wasn't doing the best things either. They allowed spending to get out of control and most of them were too drunk with power and pay-offs that it didn't matter to them. I think the Congress seriously needs a huge overhaul. And finally, service to country. I really enjoyed the prospect that we as Americans should take pride in our country. With the media and quite a few liberals bashing how horrible this country is, it is quite nice to hear people rejoice in serving the country. And not for what they can get out of it, just for the love of it.
 
In the second part of my take on McCain's speech, I'll take a look at what I didn't like about the speech.
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