Time to clear the air!

I have something I need to get off my chest, and I think this blog is the best place to do it.
With all the upheaval going on in our country these days, most of us are going through some emotional ups and downs… fear, anxiety, anger… these and other emotions are running high among us. Many of us feel that our government – Federal, State and Local, past and present, are way off base with the way they are running things, and we are becoming very outspoken in our reactions. Understandable, but I believe we need to do more than rant and rave about situations… we, as citizens of a free nation, need to speak out on issues, but in an INFORMED way, not an emotional one! I will cite the example of the recent legislation signed into law by Arizona’s Governor Jan Brewer, SB1070. No, I haven’t read the bill yet, nor do I agree that this is the best solution to securing our borders from ILLEGAL aliens who are crossing over the border in huge numbers. The ideal situation would be for the Federal Government to defend our borders, as outlined in the Constitution. But because of political polarization, Washington deems it an inopportune time to create and pass legislation to reform our immigration policy, and would rather leave the borders open to all who would cross them rather than to tackle an issue that might make them politically unpopular in an election year.
As a reaction to the long inactivity on the part of the Federal Government, Governor Brewer signed SB1070, probably knowing full well it would be attacked by the opposition and will no doubt be held up by litigation to repeal it.
What I find to be most disturbing about the reaction of much of the general public is that they cannot see past the rhetoric about racial profiling to understand that we have a totally dysfunctional Federal Government that will only act when it is in their best interests politically. And believe me, dear readers, I do not think this behavior began on January 20, 2009. It has been a way of life for Congress and our other elected officials for probably the entire existence of our country, but it is very noticeable right now, because we as a nation are floundering.
So to get back to what I need to get off my chest: it’s a total copout when we rant and rave and use name-calling and sweeping generalities to strike out at those with whom we disagree. Oh, it feels good for the moment, but unless we are looking to get into shouting matches, it really isn’t very productive. Now, more than ever, I think we need to do our homework, study situations, look for facts and not accusations, and try… really TRY, to form opinions based on truth. And it helps to listen to each other without bias, try to hear where we each are coming from. Don’t worry about trying to win an argument! Let’s focus on what the problems are, and see if we can figure out solutions. For instance, if we can’t get the Federal Government to do more to secure our borders, what are our other viable options? Should we just shrug our shoulders and decide it’s not our problem? Should we write our Congressmen and ask them to communicate their ideas? Or do we try to support our state or the states who share their borders with foreign countries, when the states do what they can to solve the problem absent a solution from the Federal Government? If SB1070 isn’t the answer, what do you think is?
Let’s try to remember that we are the citizens of a free nation, and as such, have the privilege of free speech… use that privilege to communicate with your government and let them know how you feel about our current state of affairs. Learn about the issues. Get to know your representatives, and the candidates that are running for office. Then you will have the information necessary to conduct intelligent conversations about what is going on today in our nation. But try to resist the temptation to just rant and repeat what you have heard without knowing the full story… it really doesn’t speak well of you, and only serves to turn people off to you. There… I’ve said my piece!

Lose-Lose

An article from Matthew Daly of the Associated Press published today talks about how the Senate will be delaying the unveiling of a Climate bill scheduled for Monday because Harry Reid has decided to push "...Legislation to overhaul immigration laws and grant legal status to millions of long term immigrants unlawfully in the country". So we get to look forward to either Cap and Trade or Amnesty for Illegals next... what a choice! It's like 'would you rather be stabbed to death or hung?'!!!
How much more can they do to run this country into the ground before we oust them in November? Unfortunately, plenty!

New web links

I just added two new links to important websites on my sidebar: Downsizing the Federal Government, a Cato Institute site, and A Roadmap for America's Future, a very informative site hosted by Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. He presents plans for dealing with the trainwreck waiting to happen - the downfall of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and a plan to deal with our Health Care system crisis. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm spending a lot of time these days reading, researching and becoming more informed about the state of our nation. There is a lot that needs to be done, but some hopeful signs that we have at least a few good folk trying to address the problems that seem to be cropping up wherever we look. I think the watchword for me going forward is 'pay attention'! I have spent far too much time thinking that everything was being taken care of, and not enough time looking over shoulders... those days are gone for the forseeable future, but I do not think I am alone in this conclusion. I do believe I have a lot of company, and we just need to roll up our sleeves and start digging in!
Happy Tax Day, America... let's be sure they spend our hard-earned dollars wisely, and that they know we are watching!

Overcoming Dependency

All the freedoms and rights Americans hold dear can only be preserved by citizens who have the capabilities to be responsible for themselves. There are no "rights" without "responsibilities". Jim DeMint, "Saving Freedom", page 209.

Here we go again...

The following letter was published in today's "Your View" column of the Arizona Daily Sun:

To the editor: I couldn't have described the Tea Party movement any better than Joe Richards did when he railed against progressives who have taken over the federal government (progressives meaning people moving forward, somebody who believes in the progress of human society -- actually quite a compliment, though unintended, for the Obama administration).

If the Republican Tea Party is anti-progression, then it must be pro-regression (meaning moving backwards, regressing), which would describe them to a T. Nothing portrays the regressive mentality of Republicans better than their constant opposition to any proposals put forth by a president who is trying to move this country forward and improve the living standards of all Americans.
Instead of progressing into the 21st century, they focus their entire energy on turning back the clock on women's rights, medical research, science in schools, gun control and so forth. Could that be the reason why all these hate groups and religious extremists tend to gravitate towards the Republican Party?
Thank God for a progressive administration that will move us forward, not an easy task with the Republicans' gear stuck in reverse.

I could not let the opportunity pass to respond. Here is my reply:

It’s obvious that the author has never been to a Tea Party function or she might understand that we are fighting to retain the values this country was founded on: hard work, faith, honesty, accountability, personal responsibility, charity, freedom. We will not stand by and watch ‘Progressives’ take us down the slippery slope to Socialized government. There are other countries in the world that have tried Socialism and found it wanting. We do not wish to be the next casualty to an ideology that advocates redistribution of wealth, government take-over of private industry, laws banning private ownership of property, exorbitant taxation coupled with runaway spending resulting in deficits that will never be paid off. Our values are the ones that have stood this nation in good stead for over 200 years, and we will continue to fight for them! If that makes us ‘Regressive’ in the eyes of the 'Progressives', so be it.
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I'm grateful to this woman and other like her... their words allow others to see exactly what they feel and think, and they give us the opportunity to clarify what we stand for... go "Progressives"!