Thursday, April 30, 2009

Redistribution

For those - especially college age - who do not understand 'redistribution', here is a simple explanation

A college girl, home for spring break, was really upset with her father. She was unhappy he owned a business, was a conservative, a Christian & especially because he was a Republican. She had studied in school about how horrible Republicans were & she was ashamed of him. She demanded that he unionize his business. She demanded that he share the profits with the employees. She had taken classes that explained how unfairly workers were treated, how unfairly the poor were treated, how much people with money owed to others. He listened calmly to everything she had to say.

He listened as she complained bitterly about another girl in her dorm who was also from their town & working for the same degree - they had a lot of classes together. But the other girl partied a lot, studied just enough to maintain a 'C' average, attended lots of parties, was popular on campus, had a lot of friends, was "having a good time" when college was "a time to get serious". She herself studied hard, didn't go to parties, wasn't into the 'social scene' at college but made straight A's.

Then her father
patiently explained a few things to her.

First: being a Christian, believing in God, was his choice & she was free to make her own choice; he was not forcing her to attend his Church nor was he forcing her to believe as he does. He was trying to live an honest, hard-working, moral life & through prayer, helping his church who helps others, in these ways he "redistributed" his faith in God.

Second: he started his business with very little money, when she was a small child; it had gone well because he hired good people, treated his customers & employees with respect & courtesy; he recognized his employees for their work with paid holidays, paid vacations, insurances, etc. - all of which came out of his pocket. In good years there were bonuses paid, in bad years the employees had not paid HIM & they had always been free to choose a union if so desired. Then he explained that "yes, they lived well because of the business" but first of all, he was the one who took all of the risk by starting the business, he paid all the taxes to the state & federal governments, he met all mandates by the state & the feds - if it failed, the employees could find other jobs but he would be the one in debt, There were times he had had to borrow money to make sure they were able to weather economic downturns. The business existed because HE took the risks, NOT the employees.
In business, he "redistributed" the money he worked hard to earn by these choices.

Third: he reminded her that her college tuition was being paid by him because he worked hard in the business & if she wanted to pay it instead of him, she was free to do so. Also, she was free to get a job while in school to earn extra money so he didn't have to send her money. If she really felt the distaste she was describing for his business, she was free to pay her own car payment, insurance, gas & auto maintenance. She could pay for her own health insurance also, as well as for all her own clothes. Trips & vacations could be paid for with HER earnings. It would be fine with him if he no longer "redistributed" his money to her.

Next: the father turned to the subject of the other college girl from town. He asked if his daughter had the same opportunities to attend parties; she did but she chose to study. He asked if his daughter had the same opportunities to make a wide circle of friends; she did but kept to herself because she chose to study. He asked if his daughter had the same opportunities to "have a good time" as the other girl; she said "yes, but I want straight A's so I study".

Last, he asked if his daughter considered herself a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or whatever; she scoffed at him & said "I would never be a Republican! I am a Democrat! I believe in sharing with others! I believe in equality for all!"

So he made a suggestion: since both girls were going for the same degree, his daughter - with all her stated beliefs - should go to the Dean & ask him to take all of her good grades & all of the so-so grades of the other girl & average them together. That way, with his daughter's 'A' average & the other girl's 'C' average, they would both wind up with a 'B' average.
He patiently explained that, according to her stated belief in "redistribution", this would be FAIR.

As you might imagine, the daughter exploded! How could he even THINK of suggesting that? Why should she do that? What was wrong with him? She worked for her 'A' average! She wasn't about to change it to a 'B' just because someone else didn't study. She could NOT get a job because she had too much studying to do. How could he even THINK to ask her to do that?

So the father reminded her of her earlier statements
"I would never be a Republican! I am a Democrat! I believe in sharing with others! I believe in equality for all!"

"Whether you like it or not, you, my dear daughter" said her father "are a Republican about YOUR grades, but a Democrat about MY money."


$100 MILLION going...going...

This is the EASIEST -- AND BEST -- explanation of the budget cuts Pres. bho is planning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWt8hTayupE&feature=player_embedded


(you may have to paste the above address into your browser to see the video, but try clicking on the title of this posting to get straight to the video)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

and the billions just keep being spent

Can the President or the Senate or Congress think in monetary terms of anything UNDER a billion - that's with a 'B' - dollars?

Every single day it seems there is a new request for a billion here, a billion there, a few billion here, a few billion there.....

WHEN DOES IT STOP? Do you remember when a politician asking to spend millions - that's with an 'M' in case you've forgotten - was an outrage? Where is the outrage over spending HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS? Didn't the pols learn anything from the TEA parties? One lesson they probably haven't figured out yet is that they are ALL in trouble. While the media tries to marginalize the turnout, I can promise there were millions, possibly tens of millions, who were not able to be there because of work, taking care of their family & obligations.

Helping those in our country who are working NEVER seems to be at the forefront of spending money. I am sick of the handouts to foreign countries. Who in the world helps us? Our own government despises us except for the money paid in to Washington. Elitists tell us other nations 'hate' us. Yet I believe ordinary people in other nations do not hate us. For the most part, it is the elitists who are hated - both abroad & here in America.

We despise those who are 'do as I say, not as I do' people; those who think they are better because of money or perceived power or whatever has brought them such arrogant ignorance. They are the ones who run around the world apologizing for Americans.

How dare they? I do not want them apologizing for me. I'm a grownup - when I need to apologize, I do so. I pity the those so busy looking down their nose at others when they are the ones who have no clue about the real world.

Aren't you tired of it? When do we help our own citizens - when do they get help? When do they count as more than a bank to be robbed by Washington? When do we tell the politicians they work for US, not the other way around? It will only happen when we REMIND them that they work FOR us. And in what is supposed to be a TEMPORARY job although there are those who have never held a real job except for "public service", i.e. as a politician. It is time to hold every single politician accountable.

During campaigns, the candidates TALK THE TALK. Once elected, I expect them to WALK THE WALK.

Thus far, very few have even worked up to crawling.

Quick thoughts on Specter

Arlen Specter quit today...the Republican Party that is, & joined the Democrat Party.

This, in case you haven't guessed, is a)no surprise & b)no loss. At 79, he has spent more time becoming a Democrat than most Democrats. Specter is a true RINO in all his shameful gore. Waving bye-bye to the 79 year old is not going to bother anyone.

Why did he do it? When he saw the Republicans wanted someone more in tune with true precepts (small government, low taxes, etc), he heard the death knell for his 'career'. So, he jumped ship.

Thank you Arlen, for saving Republicans the trouble of watching you embarrass yourself in the primary. And, hey, Dems, good luck with that, um, well, uh, 'addition' to your party.
You are welcome to the guy. If your 'luck' holds out, maybe the Republicans can convince Snowe & Collins to jump over to your boat too.

Independents - are you paying attention? The 2 parties are writing a thesis on how to vote & act & govern as an elected official. Read & do not follow those instructions!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

this is URGENT

PLEASE go to the website for Roxana Saberi by clicking on the title above. Read about this travesty being committed in Iran. Kangaroo courts are jailing people - ordinary people - every day. This jailing of Roxana has been discussed by every news outlet. The situation is now critical. Please get involved.

Our President sits by, our Senate sits by, our Congress sits by & our taxpayer money continues to flow into Iran to 'help' (appease) them. Where is the leadership they talk about, campaign on, remind us of in their numerous interviews & on their websites?

Iran abides by no law other than their 'pretend' courts & Islam as defined at that moment by Ahmadinejad. We are in huge trouble because they already have nuclear power & it is likely, according to every intelligence agency in the world, that they have already developed nuclear weapons.

Please help Roxana & all the others imprisoned by the 'pretend' Iranian courts & before more people imprisoned in Iran die.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Out of the mouths of babes

BILL OF RIGHTS, ARTICLE I: 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.

EVERY person has the right to their say. Plenty of people say things that offend me - especially all the cursing or if they are lying - but they say it. I have the right to present another side, ignore it, dispute it, forget it, not listen; in other words, I HAVE CHOICES.

One choice I DO NOT have is to attack the speaker - verbally or physically. This seems to be something some people in this country do not understand. Disagreeing with someone is never accomplished by cursing, calling names, degrading, getting in their face, screaming &/or physically intimidating them.

Since many people seem confused about this, it should be taught at every grade level, permanently noted on every t.v. screen & computer, printed below the masthead of every newspaper, made into Public Service Announcements. Somehow, we need to get this through to those who believe they have the right to scream in anothers' face or grab them or throw something at them - because they disagree with what is being said.

The 1st Amendment stands true for EVERYONE. I may not like what you are saying, but I will defend your right to have your say, unintimidated, unharmed & unmolested.

If you believe you can silence others with intimidation or physical acts or by screaming in their face, I think you only make them more determined to have their say. Now they may do this in secret next time to avoid confrontation - but they will get their message out.

Please treat someone speaking as you want to be treated. If you disagree, then disagree peacefully, concisely, intelligently - AFTER THEY HAVE HAD THEIR SAY. You may even be able to make the speaker rethink some of their positions if you do this. If you listen to them, you may even learn something.

There was a time when I needed to deal with something my daughter had done. That night, I went up to her room to talk to her. She looked at me & said "Mom, can't you just spank me or beat me or something like that?" And yes, she was serious.

I asked if I had ever done this & she answered "no". So I asked why she wanted me to spank or beat her instead of talk to her about what she had done.

She said "because if you beat me or spank me that's the end of it. If you TALK to me about it then I have to THINK about it".

Out of the mouths of babes......

And yes, I TALKED to her. Why change what works? :-)

regarding our President

It's Saturday & I'm in a hopeful mood! If you have read thru my postings, you will see that I am a conservative. In addition, I believe in God. He has stood with me & given me strength that I know I did not/do not have to make it through this far with all the cancer issues & treatments. I know I am incredibly thankful & fortunate to receive so many blessings.

We as a society need to help those who cannot help themselves. Many needs are met through social programs churches or faith organizations have created. They have to constantly beg & plead for money, look for ways to stretch every dollar. Therefore, they are extremely concerned with income/outgo as they do not have unlimited resources.

Government programs, as a rule, do not follow the same precepts. If they did, Medicare (for example) would not have tens of BILLIONS of dollars wasted in fraudulent claims - EVERY YEAR. Once a program is created, funded, regulated, by the government, it becomes bloated & top-heavy. If we could get each department, each individual on the government payroll to care as much about where each dollar goes I believe fraud would be minimal. We need to create an atmosphere in every department that makes them realize they are spending money that is NOT limitless & IS on a tight budget. We cannot afford new departments, more government.

I could not actually care less if our President is a Republican or Democrat or what color skin he or she has. I think BOTH parties have much of which to be ashamed. I do want any President to be a successful leader.

I do not want him to apologize to other countries for me or to call me arrogant. Ever.

I do not want him to sit & say nothing as a dictator trashes America - he should have politely said 'excuse me' & left the room. Sitting there & taking the trashing lecture was wrong.

I don't care how he shakes hands with others (he's trying to be hip & cool) but bowing to the head of another country when it is not protocol, should never be done. I expect him to be polite, but not go overboard.

If he thinks another country, especially one of socialism or communism, is a better place to live, then why isn't he living there?

For all those who do not like America, the great thing about her is that you are free to leave.

No one will hunt you down & force your return - unless you've committed a crime.


Friday, April 24, 2009

Friday thoughts....,

Checking back through this week's blogs, I see I could have stated some things more clearly or shorter...sorry about that. I am new to this so please be patient.

I have no 'followers' as of yet, but I just changed my template (as you will see if you've been here before) so maybe someday I will have some. There is always hope! :-) Plus, I am writing this for me. If you enjoy it, it makes you think or wonder or consider or check something, then all the better.

After being asked by my oldest son why the President flip-flopped about prosecuting former President Bush administration members regarding policies on dealing with terrorists, it got me to thinking. Why now? Well, here's my answer: because it is simple misdirection. Any talented magician can do this. President Obama, charming & charismatic (especially with a teleprompter), is drawing your attention away from other things:
1. falsely named EFCA (Employee Fair Choice Act) which will make it possible for more unionizing in a time when unions are going by the wayside & fewer employees want unions in their companies or employees do not want to go on strike but are being threatened with "huge fines" by their union (check out AT&T's union problems) if they do not strike or picket
2. the neutering of our military at exactly the time things are seriously heating up in Pakistan & elsewhere in the Middle East
3. the very likely government takeover of banks by the conversion of stock in the huge banks that accepted TARP monies
4. the takeover of GMC by the government
5. the millions of tax dollars promised to Mexico & Hamas (Palastenians)
6. the fact he is pressuring Israel to create a state for Palestine out of the small amount of land Israel actually has
7. the enormous amounts of money being spent by Congress & Senate
8. that 'Cap & Trade' is going to devastate many families already on the edge of poverty but he is planning to use the money to nationalize healthcare
9. not only has he not fired Napolitano, he is ignoring that she ignores U.S. immigration laws & publishes reports that are erroneous & based on ZERO facts
10. 'going green' is going to bankrupt many people, companies & industries
11. last thought - so we don't notice all the expensive & lavish parties going on at the White House while we are all watching our pennies

I wonder why, as President Obama has released memos that detail how info was gotten from terrorists that actually prevented attacks that were planned, he still will not release his birth certificate or his college records. It seems odd to me. There is probably nothing to see in either one, but not releasing them makes for many questions.

Some people are upset the president is pictured on the cover of a magazine in a swimsuit or basketball shorts with no shirt. I personally think it's undignified, but he thinks it's cool. My only question about it is it real or airbrushed or photoshop?

As we continue to hear that politicians really really really want to ignore the TEA Parties, more grassroots organizing is taking place. It would be smart for them to listen.

For every idiotic remark made & publicized by a hollywoodite there were thousands of wonderful, meaningful signs at TEA Parties. If you check out the pictures of the events on Flickr & elsewhere on the internet, you will see what I mean. btw, the parties had nothing whatsoever to do with including/excluding any race, creed, color, religion. Anyone who did not attend one should not be allowed to comment about them or judge them.

So many of the current/future Cabinet & Adminstration have serious issues ranging from being tax cheats (Geittner, Seibelius) to helping cheat in elections (Sims), so why in the world are ANY Republicans approving them? Are all Republicans becoming RINOs?

If any reporting on any network disparaged a gathering of hundreds of thousands of peaceful demonstrators the way the TEA Parties were described, the FCC would have levied huge fines, reporters/commentators would have been fired, the stations/networks would be apologizing with full-page ads in the NYT. As it is, because many want to believe these were 'Republican-Conservative-Christian-white-FoxNews only' events, disgusting & abusive language has been used to describe them; even lauded. It will be considerably less comforting to those same abusers to realize they are also abusing 'Democrat-multifaith-nonwhite' attendees also. How sad for them to take such a low road. Just when I thought 'journalism' could sink no lower than openly campaigning for one candidate/party, (rather than simply reporting news), they sink to a level even lower than before. Sadly, I believe 'real journalism' is in it's death throes, having given way to 'commentary pretending to be reporting'.

Why don't discussions of the TEA Parties note that Republicans, in addition to Democrats, were castigated for their spending & outrageous behavior? Why isn't there any mention of Republicans who wanted to address TEA Parties being booed off the stage or not allowed on-stage at all? Was it because they were simply 'booed' rather than being rushed or threatened or physically harmed?

Conservative is NOT a dirty, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, mean word. Neither is Christian. Most of the media seems to believe both words are hatefilled.

Most of the American people have to live within a limited budget, so why doesn't our government?

My latest favorite explanation of a politician is: dirt stupid. I do not care what 'party' they represent - I am not represented by any of them.

Happy 83rd birthday to my Dad - a proud veteran & good Dad.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

oops - I made a mistake

My post about 'Cap & Trade' is wrong. According to the professor at MIT, it is actually MORE than $3000 per household. There is an initial $800 cost to get with the program of releasing fewer greenhouse gases PLUS $3128 yearly cost.

Professor John Reilly is also trying to justify basing his projections much lower - because it has become a rallying point for Republicans. If Democrats were using them, I suppose he would be fine with it.

Now Prof. Reilly says that he believes the costs will "only" run about $800 more per year (and I hope you are sitting down & definitely NOT drinking anything because the following will cause you to snort) because Reilly ASSUMES the $3128 will be RETURNED to each household. More & more people who know about this sort of thing are saying that his projections are still too low.

Yes, in his dreamworld the government is going to rebate all that cost right back to each & every household. THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO GIVE BILLIONS BACK TO THE PEOPLE. Okay...you can stop snorting now & take a drink.

No wonder people no longer trust colleges & universities. Between this man's fuzzy math & his reality, is another entire universe. It's called THE REAL WORLD.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

quick....make a u-turn....& pay attention

Has anyone ever compared what a candidate said during campaigning - literally - with what they are doing once they are elected? If so, I would love to see that. So many jobs are being lost, so many jobs are being promised jobs by spending money the government does not have & we, THE PEOPLE - remember us? - cannot afford!

'Cap & Trade' is slated to increase the cost of energy for EVERY family in America by $3000, even President Obama admits this. Yes. You read that right. $3000. That will be a monthly increase of $250. How will families afford this? Add increases in taxes by allowing federal tax cuts to expire & state increases in taxes & fees, more families will be in dire straits.

The latest report from Spain should put an absolute HALT to the mentality that 'green' jobs can save our country - it has not worked at all for them & will not for us. It has, in fact, created many problems. They have warned us that for every job created by government 'green' programs, at least 2.2 were lost in the private sector & only 1 of 10 'green' jobs is actually long-term.

To quote the report from the Institute for Energy Research : "As this study makes clear, Spain has spent billions in taxpayer resources to subsidize renewable energy programs in an effort to jumpstart its ailing economy – and what they’ve gotten in return are fewer jobs, skyrocketing debt and some of the highest and most regressive energy prices in the developed world."


FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T READ THE REPORT:
"The following represent some of the study’s key findings:

-The U.S. can expect 2.2 jobs to be destroyed for every 1 renewable job financed by the government.
-Only 1 in 10 of the jobs actually created through green investment is permanent.
-Since 2000, Spain has spent €571,138 ($753,778) to create each “green job,” including subsidies of more than €1 million ($1,319,783) per wind industry job.
-Those programs resulted in the destruction of nearly 113,000 jobs elsewhere in the economy.
-Each “green” megawatt installed destroyed 5.39 jobs in non-energy sectors of the Spanish economy.
-The total over-cost—the amount paid over the cost that would result from buying the electricity generated by the renewable power plants at market prices—between 2000 and 2008 amounts to 7,918.54 million Euros ($10 billion).
-The total subsidy spent and committed to these three renewable sources amounts to €28,671 million ($36 billion).
-Consumer energy costs in Spain would have to be increased 31 percent to repay the debt generated by the green jobs subsidies.
-NOTE: According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Spain’s annual emissions of carbon dioxide have increased by nearly 50 percent since the nation began its aggressive push to subsidize and support “green jobs.”"

The entire report is available at http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/2009/03/31/running-of-the-bull-us-green-jobs-rhetoric/


To me, the scarest 2 items in this report are: the loss of jobs in the private sector & the increase of emissions of carbon dioxide. Why are we trying to do what Spain has done, when it is NOT working? With data that proves conclusively we are heading in the wrong direction, we need to make a u-turn.

There must be a balancing of 'green' with reality. Drop all discussion & thought of 'Cap & Trade'. We need to drill in our own country, build more refineries, add wind energy where & when it is practical (read: not cost prohibitive), build clean coal plants. All are possible to co-exist without destroying the consumer with the cost or the environment. We need to be realistic in managing our emissions & find a balance that will not simply create more debt.

As more & more people are speaking up, politicians are finding out they just may be accountable for what they said as well as what they have done & are doing. TEA (taxed enough already) Parties should have shown Washington that ordinary people are fed up. But these Senators and Representatives seem to believe they are invincible. Come election time, they will spin & twirl, dance & dive, to prove to us how worthy they are to return to 'represent' us.

The Grassroots are spreading, growing deeper. DC would be wise to pay attention.

But when have they ever been 'wise'?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

then I came back to the house.....

I came back to the house, downloaded, printed & read the recently released "Assessment" from the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security entitled "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment".

I am sick every time I think about this report. I am disgusted there is no data to substantiate the charges put forth in this piece of trash. I encourage you to download a copy, read it thoroughly & then decide if you are now a 'rightwing extremist'.

Are you white?
Are you Conservative?
Are you Christian?
Are you fed up with the spending in Washington?
Are you fed up with the national debt?
Are you concerned the U.S. is not as safe as it once was?
Are you fed up with politicians?
Are you worried about your job or have you lost your job?
Are you bothered by so many jobs being outsourced overseas?
Are you concerned about the new legislation to further restrict firearm ownership?
Are you in favor of stopping illegal immigration?
Are you against abortion on demand?
Are you against bailouts for companies that have run themselves into the ground?
Are you against paying someone else's mortgage when they lied to get one?
Do you own a gun?

If you answered 'yes' to any of the above questions, you just may be labeled a "rightwing extremist". In fact, by writing this, I will likely be labeled one.

Much of the information denoted in this "Assessment" claims origins from the 1990s. But, Bill Clinton was the President for most of the 90's & liberals are always talking about how fabulous it was back then. Yet, to quote the report "The current economic and political climate has some similarities to the 1990s when rightwing extremism experienced a resurgence fueled largely by an economic recession, criticism about the outsourcing of jobs, and the perceived threat to U.S. power and sovereignty by other foreign powers."

So, I am now confused. Again. Didn't we spend 8 years of President Bush hearing from Democrats how fabulous, wonderful, easy, & prosperous life was with President Clinton? Wasn't it all the fault of President Bush that the economy collapsed? That the Twin Towers were destroyed and thousands of people lost their lives? Oh, wait. That last one was because of terrorists who HATE us. They wanted - & still want - to see all of us DEAD. But all the rest was laid at Pres. Bush's feet. He didn't try to blame predecessors for the terrorists' acts, he blamed the terrorists.

Now we have a President who, after being in office 3 months, is blaming President Bush for mistakes he is currently making. Such as the one of putting Napolitano in charge of DHS. This someone who says illegal immigration is a "CIVIL" matter of law, not a "criminal" matter of law. Excuse me? She should get her boxtops back for whatever diplomas she got when she sent them. After the disgrace of this report on 'rightwing extremists', she should be fired. If it had been a Republican appointee in this position, the hue & cry would have been to burn them alive. Then fire them. Immediately.

As I read this report, I felt surreal. I could not believe this was possible to be published & taken seriously. This is America, I kept reminding myself. Yet this report tells me that we are in for far rougher times ahead. And I do not mean from 'rightwing extremists' either. My own government is trying to silence any dissent. How can this be? This country was founded because our forefathers were fed up with 'taxation without representation'. Their dissent against England was the birth of our nation.

Finally, I will leave you with this last tidbit from the report. To me it is the most offensive of all the 'assessments'. "DHS/I&A assesses that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists - including lone wolves or small terrorist cells - to carry out violence."

If you have a Veteran in your family, as I do (several), I believe you will find this as offensive as anything that could ever be published BY OUR GOVERNMENT. There is no basis to believe any so-called 'rightwing extremists' are planning problems anywhere - the report states that - so why publish trash such as this? Why insult the very men & women who are working to make certain our country stays free?

Napolitano could not have been more insulting if she had personally slapped the face of every Veteran who served & sacrificed this country. She should be ashamed but isn't. She should be fired, but will not be. She should have the good sense to resign, but she will not. That would take, as I said 'sense'.

Tea Party and...

Months ago, I wrote to my local paper to ask each & every voter to please do their research, think out their options, & last but definitely not least, VOTE. Many people voted in the national elections in November & now things have certainly rapidly changed. The difference now is: I no longer have hope.

On April 15th I went to a Tea Party here in El Paso, Texas where I am with my father. There were over a thousand people there & what happened was contrary to every media reporting script with the exception of FOX news. Note: FOX had nothing to do with sponsoring or organizing this event - NO BIG MONEY put this on. Here is my experience for you to decide for yourself if this 'grassroots' movement is real.

Every skin color, size, shape, gender, ethnicity, & age were there. Every political persuasion was well represented: Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Green Party, Independents & apolitical people.

People talked about their vote & many said they had voted for President Obama -- note please, no one attacked them or screamed at them or berated them in any way. The common thread for those of us there was that before this, we all thought we were doing enough by voting, calling/writing our representatives about issues, reading newspaper articles, listening to the news -- all in an effort to stay informed. Now we know we were wrong.

There was no riot. There was no racism. There was no screaming in someone else's face. There was no burning of the flag - in fact, the American flag was displayed & treated with respect. No soldiers, VFW members, Legion members or veterans were spit on or called names. I did, however, see people step up to them & thank them for their service & sacrifice to our country. Tears came to the eyes of the vets, those thanking them & to those of us near enough to witness this. There were gun owners & those opposed to individuals owning guns. There were members of every - & of no - faith.

We burned no cars, tossed no malotov cocktails, screamed no obscenities, threatened no one. We did not shout down the main speaker, a university economics professor. No politicians spoke because it was a time for them to listen to ordinary people, that's IF there were any politicos in the crowd.

The upshot of the entire gathering was this: people are fed up with the government growing at an astronomical rate even as Americans lose their jobs; fed up with politicians saying whatever during a campaign & then doing the exact opposite after elected; fed up with government bailouts; fed up with lobbyists & lawyers running the government; fed up with the spending spree in Washington; fed up with the Constitution & the Bill of Rights being subverted; fed up with losing simple rights & liberties. Last but not least, most feel every Senator & Representative needs to be replaced because they are completely out of touch with the ordinary people of this country. Politicians only listen to their big money backers & not to the voters. Big mistake politicians!

After attending the Tea Party I was energized, hopeful once again for our country. I was encouraged so many hundreds of thousands of ordinary people are getting involved.

And then I came home......