A Vote For Our Founders

My money, Your Money

2010-11-15T18:04:00.003-05:00

I write this blog with great hesitation because in it I have to face some hard truths about the misguided ways in which I would like to live life.

Here we go…

I grew up with crazy, but loving parents who gave me just about everything I wanted. They worked hard to put me through college and gave me the best gift upon graduation I could have – no student loans or debt!

However, as difficult as it is to say about my Daddy, he made a huge mistake in my upbringing – not teaching me the value of a dollar, but instead giving me the impression that somehow the money will mysteriously appear to provide for my every want. Note I did not say need here. There is a huge difference between want and need.

Daddy’s intentions were good and he was a man envied by many because his heart was bigger than the universe. But I believe if he were alive today, he would agree he did not make the right choice in this part of his parenting tactics.

Unfortunately, I took this attitude with me when I got married many years ago, and created a few of my own philosophies along the way. I recall, and I know my husband does too, when my husband came to me (not long after vowing “in richer, or in poorer”) to discuss our revenue and expenses. He laid out what we made together and what our bills were only to get, “But my money is mine. Your money pays the bills.”

Another warped belief I held came to light after a shopping trip just a few years ago. I wanted to do a little shopping for an outfit for an upcoming event. We agreed on how much I had to spend. I think it was around $200. So, I happily went on my way. I found what I set out to find and it was only around $100! When I returned home I told my husband of my skill of frugality. He asked where the remaining $100 was so he could put it back in the envelope for future expenses, only there wasn’t any money left over. Not only had I found what I needed for the event, but I was able to get a few extra items with the money I had “saved”. As you can imagine, my husband’s head almost fell off his shoulders as it spun trying to make sense of my justification that I had actually saved money. It still makes perfect sense, even in my state of recovery!

Unfortunately, I think our government lives by these same misguided principles.

They believe the money from taxes is theirs and the money remaining in our wallets should pay the bills. They also believe that if they “save” money in one area of the government it allows them room to spend that money elsewhere.

Take Earmarks for example. During the 2010 Primary season, I helped a friend running for the United States Congress with minor writing tasks as he campaigned against a 16-year incumbent. In researching the opponent, I ran across a letter from the incumbent to the constituents of their district explaining why she supported Earmarks. In 2009 this incumbent had sponsored or supported more than $67 million in Earmarks. And that is just one Congressperson!

It made me nauseous. The reason as to why eliminating Earmarks is not wise came in a letter to her constituents:

The most prevalent misunderstanding has to do with the size and importance of earmarks. Earmarks comprise less than one percent of the federal budget. Furthermore, cutting out an earmark does not reduce spending. Eliminating an earmark for $500,000 to fund a program to combat drug-use locally only means that $500,000 will be funded and some bureaucrat in a federal agency will use it as he decides, rather than as the elected representative decides. Earmarks are simply a way for Members to allocate money already going to a federal agency for priorities in their districts identified by their constituents. If the earmark as submitted by the Member is denied, the money will instead be sent back to the federal agency to decide how to allocate the funding.

I believe this takes both of my twisted philosophies and ties them up with a pretty RED bow.

Let’s look at this a bit closer…

A classic case of My money vs. Your money - Earmarks compromise less than one percent of the federal budget.

What this says to me, a taxpayer, is the government has all of this My Money to spend however they see fit. Since these funds will be allocated somewhere it is best for the members of Congress to bring it home to their districts. Therefore, Earmarks are not a bad use of funds. The Your Money (i.e. new taxes) will be necessary to pay any additional bills.

False Savings - Eliminating an earmark for $500,000 to fund a program to combat drug-use locally only means that $500,000 will be funded and some bureaucrat in a federal agency will use it as he decides, rather than as the elected representative decides.

Although they may “save” that money, it will be spent elsewhere rather than eliminated from the budget. So, what’s your problem taxpayer?

As Senator Jim Demint fights a battle to ban Earmarks, these excuses are flying out of the mouths of politicians all over the nation.

To the members of Congress who continue to use these tired excuses:

WAKE THE HELL UP! Did you really not hear us on November 2?

The American people are not asking you to ban Earmarks just so those funds can be allocated elsewhere. We are asking you to ban Earmarks to remove that line of the budget so we can bring our deficit down and get our finances under control. It doesn’t matter that is only one percent of the federal budget; it is time to start somewhere. Oh wait, we don’t even have a budget set yet because Congress hasn’t been doing their job!

It is pretty clear I do not care for Barack Obama as President because I disagree with just about every policy stance he holds. But I must give credit where credit is due. The commission he asked to review the budget may not have all of the right answers, but as more of the information of their recommendations comes to light it is a great starting point for a rational discussion of how to address our fiscal woes. We must take a serious look at their recommendations and not just throw it out because they recommend cuts to our favorite pet projects.

Members of Congress:

Please grow the hell up and start doing what all of the lay people have to do in this bad economy. Here is a suggestion of where to begin:

1. Start by finding the programs that really do nothing to help our nation other than fund things like ketchup research. The National Institute for Health (NIH) grants $31 BILLION a year for research. I am sure we would find plenty of unnecessary funding if we really looked closely. This is just one group within the government that funds grants. Can you imagine the dollars we could save if we began truly eliminating unnecessary funding of research grants alone?!

2. Cut out the frivolous spending on things that may be important, but we just can’t afford right now. Again, does the NIH alone need $31 BILLION of taxpayer money to fund research grants?

3. After all of that is done, and ONLY after all of that is done, and we still need to cut the budget, lay all of the remaining project budgets on the table and let’s have a serious debate about what is most important to keep and what can be eliminated until our nation’s finances allow us to add those things back in.

Rocket science it isn’t.

Please let COMMON SENSE begin to drive you as you lead our nation out of this train wreck of an economy.

Side note - It made me even more nauseous when helping with a political campaign to see Dick Armey, a proposed Tea Party leader who founded Freedom Works endorse the Earmark loving incumbent against my friend, a true fiscal Conservative who pledged NO Earmarks on his watch and no funding for things not backed by the powers of the Constitution. It will be difficult for me to take Freedom Works seriously when they talk about fiscal responsibility after endorsing such candidates. I hope to see better judgment from this organization in the future.

Another side note - I will be the first to admit I am not great with money. I am still learning to live within my means and prepare for the future financially. My husband and I took a huge risk with a company several years ago and we are still working on repairing the financial damage. But, we are working on it without complaining or seeking a bailout from the government. We have learned to live within our means and spend our money much more wisely then we ever have before. I will also admit that learning to live within my means has not been easy. I love shoes and I hate it when I find a great pair, but can’t find a way to get it in the budget. It isn’t easy on my husband either. He hates telling the children and me we can’t do something because we can’t afford it. It makes him feel as though he has failed us. What I hope is happening in our home though is just the opposite of failure. Actually, when he is fiscally conservative and responsible with our funds it is quite sexy and only works to improve our marriage! I know…EW, not information you need from me or about me!

Really? UPDATED...

2010-09-15T10:12:00.005-04:00

I have stated over and over it is not just the Democratic Party that doesn’t get it. Today, it is crystal clear the Republican Party doesn’t get it either.

When Lisa Murkowski lost the Alaskan Senate Republican Primary to Joe Miller , the NRSC sent in a lawyer to help assess the situation. Last night, before Christine O’Donnell even had time to finish her acceptance speech after winning the Delaware Senate Republican Primary , the NRSC said they would not fund her. Apparently Karl Rove lost it on Hannity soon after. And, this morning I woke up to the headline that Mike Castle will not endorse her. Really? What happened to losing gracefully? While this is certainly their prerogative, I see it as a temper tantrum that would put a two year old to shame. I would love to think this was a strategic part of the GOP Establishment's plan to make it look as though they are not happy in order to stir up free press, but I seriously doubt it.

I have watched the Republican Party “elites” put out just as much vitriol towards Sarah Palin. Why? Because she scares the hell out of them just as much as she scares the hell out of the Democrats - and not because she is some dingy broad with a funny way of talking. She can see the forest for the trees and will not just bow down to The Establishment in order to win their approval. Well, it may just be time to start taking her and us TEA PARTY folk seriously.

We are proving we will not use violence or threats. We will use our brains, our voices, and our votes.

It was not just the Progressive agenda of Obama, Pelosi and Reid that woke the sleeping giant. A huge nudge came from the irresponsibility of the Republican leaders too!

UPDATE: Well, looks like the NRSC wised up...

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/09/15/cornyn-nrsc-fully-backing-odonnell-giving-maximum-donation/

TOLERANCE Does Not Mean Surrender!

2010-08-11T12:46:00.008-04:00

Any one who has read my blog knows I am a staunch supporter of the US Constitution. I believe in all of the freedoms it provides the citizens of this great nation. My favorite amendment reads:

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.

Because of this amendment, we can freely worship however we choose – whether it be through Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Mormonism, etc., or not at all. Our nation is dotted with Sanctuaries, Temples, Mosques, etc. I LOVE this about our country. Although my faith is firmly planted in Christianity, I do not want one American citizen denied the right to choose a religion for himself or herself.

Tragically, events on September 11, 2001, illustrated once again that members of an extreme form of a religion could carry out horrific terrorist acts in the name of their “God”. On this day, fanatical Muslims chose to take their religion to the extreme and killed over three thousand innocent people in order to uphold their “religion”. This is not practicing ones religion – this is insanity!

Over the last 9 years we have heard a lot about “tolerance” when it comes to people’s faith, in large part to make sure Americans of the Islamic faith are not unlawfully targeted just because they are Muslims. Our nation made the mistake of extreme intolerance with the Japanese Interment Camps during WWII, and I am proud we did not do so this time around.

TOLERANCE doest not mean IGNORANCE.

There is no denying the terrorists were Muslim. The handful of Islamic terrorists that committed this violent act are not the only radical Muslims in the world. There are many more who will do whatever it takes to hit us again in the name of their “religion” and due to a complete lack of TOLERANCE. I do not want innocent, peaceful Muslims targeted just because of their faith. But, if we fail to remember there are still extreme, INTOLERANT Islamic terrorists planning the next attack, because we are afraid of being viewed as INTOLERANT, we will fail to protect the citizen’s of the United States of America.

With that being said, I agree wholeheartedly we must be TOLERANT of one another. Without such TOLERANCE, we will be no better off than nation’s who do not allow religious freedoms because of their lack of TOLERANCE.

A debate on TOLERANCE…

Do the owners of property in New York City have the right to build what they want as long as they are adhering to local zoning laws? Absolutely.

In recent months, a proposal has been made to build a Mosque in the vicinity of Ground Zero. Whoever owns the building has the right to build what they want. The argument of the developers of this Mosque - this will help build bridges between Muslims and members of the community; therefore, America needs to exhibit TOLERANCE of this project.

But I have to ask, where is the TOLERANCE towards Americans in this act?

For Americans, this is hallowed ground. It is as important to our nation as the fields of Gettysburg or the USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor. It is a place where we go and reflect upon the day our country was attacked by fanatical Muslims. It is a place where we attempt to understand the hatred spewed against our great nation by fanatical Muslims. It is a place where we go to honor those who died in the attacks by fanatical Muslims. It is a place where we hope to see business flourish as it did on September 10, 2001.

Last Christmas, I walked by Ground Zero after dinner with friends. Looking through the chain link fence at the hole, I felt two things. First, I felt a great sense of loss for my fellow Americans. I did not know any of the people who lost their lives that day personally, but I stared at my television in horror as each tower fell knowing fellow Americans were dying right before my eyes. Secondly, I felt pride knowing my country rose up through the ashes to prove once again that our flag still waves.

I find it hard to believe that Feisal Abdul Rauf did not understand exactly what he was doing in announcing the building of a Mosque on Ground Zero. For many, I would assume most Americans, he has opened up wounds and poured salt and vinegar over them. I understand it is his Constitutional right to build a Mosque wherever he chooses. Our military members protect this right, many have done so with their lives. But in this instance, Rauf’s Constitutional right does not make it morally right.

Therefore, I will exercise my right to speak out against it on moral grounds.

TOLERANCE does not mean to SURRENDER.

sur·ren·der (s-rndr)

v. sur·ren·dered, sur·ren·der·ing, sur·ren·ders

v.tr.

1. To relinquish possession or control of to another because of demand or compulsion.

2. To give up in favor of another.

3. To give up or give back (something that has been granted):

4. To give up or abandon:

5. To give over or resign (oneself) to something, as to an emotion:

In reading the definition of “surrender”, the 5^th example caught my eye: To give over or resign (oneself) to something, as to an emotion.

I believe to not speak out against this Mosque on moral grounds is to surrender – to give over or resign oneself to something, as to an emotion – to the TOLERANCE preached to Americans without expectation of such TOLERANCE being given to them in return. The TOLERANCE Americans seek in this situation does not violate Mr. Rauf’s rights. The TOLERANCE we seek merely asks him to build his Mosque elsewhere – away from such hallowed ground where innocent Americans were brutally murdered by Islamic terrorists.

I read an article about Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s support for the Mosque that is to be built in the immediate area of Ground Zero. He spoke of tolerance and Constitutional rights. He stated:

“The simple fact is this building is private property, and the owners have a right to use the building as a house of worship.

The government has no right whatsoever to deny that right - and if it were tried, the courts would almost certainly strike it down as a violation of the U.S. Constitution. Whatever you may think of the proposed mosque and community center, lost in the heat of the debate has been a basic question - should government attempt to deny private citizens the right to build a house of worship on private property based on their particular religion? That may happen in other countries, but we should never allow it to happen here. This nation was founded on the principle that the government must never choose between religions, or favor one over another.”

I do not disagree with Mayor Bloomberg on this point. However, have we come to a place in Politically Correct America that we must surrender to those who refuse to offer the same TOLERANCE that they expect from us? Mayor Bloomberg didn’t even use the words “Extreme Islamic Terrorists” to describe those responsible for the deaths of over three thousand Americans. Instead, “murderous fanatics”.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

He completely surrendered to the TOLERANCE expected from Americans while depriving Americans the TOLERANCE they rightly deserve – the right to speak the truth about who was responsible for the cowardice attacks on September 11.

The US Constitution does protect the rights of all citizens. It does protect the rights of a developer to build what they wish as long as it abides by local zoning codes. It even protects Mr. Rauf’s rights to build this Mosque at Ground Zero knowing full well it is completely INTOLERANT of the wishes of the majority of Americans. And equally important, it protects my right to speak out against a complete moral failure by those who demand TOLERANCE but refuse to grant TOLERANCE in the first place.

For the Constitution to work, we must all exercise TOLERANCE in some form or fashion for ideas and actions in which we disagree. Americans are an exceptional example of a TOLERANT people.

Isn't it about time for others around the world to illustrate some TOLERANCE for us?

2010-07-04T12:53:00.002-04:00

A year ago today, I celebrated our nation's Birthday with my father for the last time before he went home. He taught me to love God & country and be thankful for the freedoms I enjoy.

I love you Daddy!

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer,James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Did Their Bloodshed Mean Nothing?

2010-05-21T16:56:00.002-04:00

I last posted almost 2 months ago on March 24. I had to take a break from the political workings of our great nation. Honestly, I would love to stop having to worry about the political workings of our nation altogether! It is frustrating, depressing, infuriating, exhausting, maddening, annoying, insert your favorite negative adjective here.

However, I realized this is what I have done for most of my adult life. My apathy and desire to stay in my own backyard, and worry only about my problems, has contributed to the election of people who are not in politics to serve the best interests of the American people.

Well, it is time for me, and all Americans, to get involved in the political workings of our society.

First, we need to recognize where we were born (or why we chose to go through the PROPER channels to become a naturalized citizen). For whatever reason, God chose for me to be born in the great state of Texas in the United States of America. How awesome is that? I was doubly blessed!

There are many things I dislike about our history. There are many things I dislike about our government. Even so, I feel privileged to be a citizen of the United States of America. We enjoy freedoms like no other nation on Earth.

Second, we need to gain an understanding of our history. I understand slaveholders founded our country. However, as I stated in my last post, our Founding Fathers were brilliant in creating a document that – throughout our 234-year history – has weeded out abominations like slavery and segregation. The Constitution of the United States, when relied upon as it was intended, will continue to eradicate any offenses against an American citizen.

We must remember:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America

WE THE PEOPLE means you and me, NOT President ______ , Senator ______, or Congressman ______. Please note I put blanks behind the titles. Why? Because the United States of America does not have permanent leaders because we are a Constitution-based federal republic, with representatives voted on by the PEOPLE for now and always, Mr. Allen!

Also, we must NEVER forget this:

Artcile IV The States Section 4 - Republican government (emphasis mine)

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

Over the last few weeks, one of our states has come under fire for signing into law guidelines to supplement federal law on how their law enforcement officials are to deal with illegal immigration. You can read the law here (it is only 16 pages!).

I am from a border state. I get that it is a tough subject. However, Arizona, like other border states, has begged and waited for the federal government to enforce immigration laws for years, if not decades. Whether you agree with the Arizona law or not, the leaders of Arizona (with a majority of support from the citizens of the state) are attempting to protect themselves from invasion. The federal government has a duty to protect the borders of our country according to Article IV of the Constitution.

Instead, the federal government has failed, and continues to fail, to enforce our immigration laws. Leaders around our nation, including President Obama, have done their best to fuel the opposition to this bill – one that the state of Arizona should have the guaranteed right under Article IV of the US Constitution to pass. I wonder if President Obama has even read the bill? We know for a fact US Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano have both condemned the bill even though they have admittedly not read the bill (I will let you search Youtube for these pathetic clips). Even the head of ICE, John Morton is chiming in:

“Morton said his agency will not necessarily process illegal immigrants referred to them by Arizona officials. The best way to reduce illegal immigration is through a comprehensive federal approach, not a patchwork of state laws, he said.

"I don't think the Arizona law, or laws like it, are the solution," Morton said.”

What a disgrace for our nation – public leaders condemning the rights of a state without reading what they are condemning OR announcing they will not even do the job they have been hired to do! From the ICE About page:

Formed in 2003 as part of the federal government's response to the 9/11 attacks, ICE's mission is to protect the security of the American people and homeland by vigilantly enforcing the nation's immigration and customs laws.

ICE combines innovative investigative techniques, new technological resources and a high level of professionalism to provide a wide range of resources to the public and to our federal, state and local law enforcement partners.

And to top off this cake, the President of Mexico was allowed to bash our fellow Americans from Arizona regarding this law not only from the Rose Garden of OUR HOUSE, but also got a standing O in the halls of Congress. With all due respect Mr. Calderon, I have been to Mexico. When you have cleaned up your own country and eliminated the reasons your citizens flee to our country *cough* poverty *cough* proper medical care *cough* drug cartels *cough* corruption *cough*, then you may lecture the United States on its issues and laws.

Third, it is time WE THE PEOPLE ask ourselves if we are upholding the Constitution of the United States of America. The Constitution clearly states in Article IV:

“…secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…”

The definition of posterity is people in the future; all descendants.

WE THE PEOPLE are not holding up this part of the Constitution when we vote people into office because they will “bring the bacon” home. We have to suck it up for a while and get rid of frivolous spending. For goodness sake Americans, stop yelling about Congress cutting spending then turning around and complaining that they cut stuff you wanted!
WE THE PEOPLE are not upholding this part of the Constitution when we continue to allow our elected officials to divert from the Constitution while enforcing/not enforcing our laws.
WE THE PEOPLE are not upholding this part of the Constitution when we choose to not hold our elected officials accountable by voting them in term after term. WE must hold elected officials accountable without bias. If they prove to be slimy – VOTE THEM OUT REGARDLESS OF PARTY!
Until WE THE PEOPLE check our EMOTIONS at the door and begin to use COMMON SENSE to solve our nations problems nothing will CHANGE. If we don’t, we will continue to fail our children and grandchildren.

Finally, we must ask ourselves what kind of nation do we HOPE to pass down to future generations. America has led the way when it comes to innovation and ideas. America was founded as a Constitution-based federal republic with a strong democratic tradition. Lately, it feels like we have a battle ensuing to alter this course. And, if you are like me, it is sometimes hard to figure out where my place is among our political parties to help stop this battle.

It is up to each American to educate themselves on where our political parties really stand on the issues. They all spew their beliefs from the pulpit, but do they actually walk the walk? And most importantly, are they living by the oath they took to protect the United States Constitution?

I urge everyone to read the Constitution. Regardless of party, if your elected officials are not adhering to this sacred document it is your responsibility to voice your concerns to them, and vote them out at the next election if they do not listen. If American’s do not wake up and realize what is at stake with the battle for power we may find ourselves in a country our Founding Fathers would not recognize, if they would even recognize it today.

I find myself asking the question more and more...

Did their bloodshed mean nothing to the Americans of today?

Where the Hell Am I Living?

2010-03-24T12:41:00.002-04:00

And the truth begins to surface as to the motives of where Obamacare is to lead our nation…

The main purpose of our Founding Father’s toiling over every word they put into the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution was to make sure WE THE PEOPLE understood our rights, and that our elected officials understood their boundaries.

I woke up this morning in hopes to take the day off from blogging. However, as I was quickly checking the news I ran across a couple of quotes from liberals that 1) made my skin crawl and 2) illustrated that the Progressive liberal agenda so many of us have been warning against is beginning to surface via the mouths of liberals themselves. May the vindication begin!

The America WE want

It is funny, but all of my friends, liberal or conservative, do have several things in common.

We all seek to get the best job with the highest pay possible, good healthcare benefits, and two or more weeks of paid vacation. We all know the more money brought in allows us to improve our quality of life for our families.
Our “greed” nurses our desire to drive a nicer car, purchase a larger home with all the furnishings, take better vacations, buy more clothing for our families, eat out more so we (the cook of the family!) don’t have to worry about dishes at the end of a long day.
We volunteer countless hours with non-profits to serve and raise money to benefit those who are in need in our communities.
We complain equally when taxes rise.
We complain equally when we are forced to wait our turn to deal with the not so happy Customer Service Rep at the DMV or any other government run agency.
We complain when we feel like the government has intruded into our lives by overstepping its boundaries as established by our Founding Fathers.

Well, when it comes to taxes, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Il) believes:

“Yes, if you’re making over $200,000 a year, you’re going to pay slightly more in taxes. It’s the cost, I think, of having the kind of America we want to have.”

I don’t care what kind of taxes he is speaking of, I do not believe an American who has worked their tail off for success, and now earns over $200,000, should be MORE responsible than the next American for anything. This is straight out class warfare being encouraged by an extreme liberal Senator. The attempt of liberals like Durbin to create such a division of Americans is disgusting. And you know what, I am a much happier American when I get to choose where my money goes to help out my fellow Americans. What is up with the party of “choice”? They are okay with me having the “choice” to kill a baby, but they are not okay with me having a “choice” of where to spread my wealth? Someone, please explain that to me!

WE have time to get used to government control

Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) has said many things I disagree with, however, this time he is spot on:

“Let me remind you this has been going on for years. We are bringing it to a halt. The harsh fact of the matter is when you’re going to pass legislation that will cover 300 American people in different ways it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people.”

Our Founding Fathers literally shed blood and lives to break away from a system that survived by “controlling the people”. I am getting to the point where I have to ask…

WHERE THE HELL AM I LIVING – 1750’S America or the America of 1776?!!

Where We can Find Hope

2010-03-22T13:28:00.003-04:00

I expected to wake up this morning with the feeling of defeat.

Funny thing, I don’t feel defeated. I don’t feel like America has been defeated.

Instead, I actually feel, and yes I am going to use the word, HOPE. My faith in God is still intact. Regardless of my circumstances, He has always been faithful. In Him, I have HOPE.

Over the past year, I found myself researching our Constitution and the Founders intentions when they drafted it. And, in my research I found the strongest “guarantee” any other human being could provide me in life here on Earth – I have unalienable rights as an American citizen and a Constitution that my government must adhere to. I am blessed to be an American. In that, I also have HOPE.

The Founders did not fill over 2000 pages with gibberish. They took four pieces of parchment paper (six when you add the Bill of Rights) and less than 5,000 words to create the best guarantee they could for a new nation – a Representative Republic with a Constitution to protect it’s citizens.

The online Meriam-Webster Dictionary defines a Republic as:

Function: noun

Date: 1604

1 a (1) : a government having a chief of state who is not a monarch and who in modern times is usually a president (2) : a political unit (as a nation) having such a form of government b (1) : a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law

I find comfort in this definition. A body of elected representatives governs us. They take on the task of governing so we can enjoy our everyday lives. We hold elections and vote for who we believe to be the best candidate to represent our values and beliefs. Our representatives are men and women. They are not perfect. They cannot guarantee our wealth and happiness. That is not their responsibility. Their responsibility is to make sure our Constitutional rights are upheld. Their responsibility is to pass necessary legislation that benefits the American people without infringing on our Constitutional rights.

With that in mind, it would be easy to feel defeated today. I believe we just witnessed the majority of Congress disregard the will of the majority of Americans. I believe they forgot whom they represent and what they are supposed to be protecting. WE THE PEOPLE spoke out, not against healthcare reform, but against a fundamental change in how our country is governed. WE spoke out because WE believe our “guarantee” through the Constitution was being threatened. I have no doubt the legislation we know as Obamacare will be challenged in the courts. I have HOPE that true healthcare reform will prevail –reform that will actually make it affordable for all Americans to receive quality healthcare while not infringing on the rights of others by ignoring their Constitutional guarantees.

However, the test for WE THE PEOPLE is to come. WE must hold elected officials accountable at the ballot box to keep them from abusing their power. WE have not done a very good job of this to date.

I know there will never be a time when I will agree whole-heartedly with any representative I vote for. In fact, I watched in dismay as “my” party spent uncontrollably, bailed out institutions, and set up a path for government takeovers of industries. I confess, I continued to vote for the same people. I didn’t understand how to use my vote. I didn’t understand how to use my voice. I hadn’t done my homework on the candidates or the issues. I didn’t understand my “guarantee” as I should have when making decisions about my representatives.

Well, my HOPE today comes from the fact that now I know what I know. I will continue to educate myself on the Constitution and its guidelines. I will pay attention to the elections. I am not just talking about the major ones like a Presidential election. I must pay attention to ALL elections from the School Board to the City Council to the Governor to the President. I must educate myself on each candidate’s principles and qualifications and not just make a decision because of an R or a D behind their name on the ballot.

And, I have HOPE that Americans like me are now paying attention to the politics of our nation. The battle of making sure our government returns to adhering to the Constitution has just begun. Neither party can claim innocence to distorting it for their purposes. WE must be more diligent than ever. WE must educate ourselves, and each other, on the Constitution so when WE hear campaign promises WE will know if WE are voting for a candidate committed to protecting it.

On another note, WE THE PEOPLE have allowed our political parties to divide us in such a way civil debate is difficult. I have personally been called “racist” on several occasions because I disagree with the policies of our current President and believe they are not in line with the Constitution – a document that was written by slaveholders as it was pointed out.

I am well aware our Founding Fathers had slaves. I have walked the grounds of Monticello, Montpellier, and Mount Vernon. I have walked across many battlefields of the Civil War. I do not look at any of these sites without unease in my heart because I know they only existed because of the slaves that toiled the lands. There is no defense for this stain on our nation. There is no defense for any of the Founding Fathers to have allowed slavery to tarnish our nation’s history. However, there is nothing I can do to change this history. I do know that because of our Constitution, this travesty came to an end. I do know that because of our Constitution the Civil Rights movement prevailed. I do know that even though our Founders held on to despicable practices like slavery, they created a document that has proven to work for over 200 years. The battles, physical and mental, against the injustices committed by citizens of this nation have been great. We will continue to have battles against future injustices on American citizens; we could all probably name some we see happening today. But, we would not have our Constitution if it weren’t for our Founding Fathers. We would not have a document that overrode the ignorance of individuals and groups who felt African-Americans were property not human beings; who thought women should not have the same rights as a man; who felt only white males should have the right to run for office or vote. I applaud the Founding Fathers for their efforts in creating such a remarkable document.

Those who know me know my heart. I am an American. I have a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to disagree with any elected official and their policy regardless of their ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, etc. I have a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to voice that opinion without being defamed. This right stands for my fellow Americans regardless of whether we agree or not.

Therefore, I encourage each of us not to fall into the trap of race baiting, name-calling, and spreading hatred that is so prevalent in our country today. To see people on both sides of the political isle helping the division grow wider by using these tactics is disheartening. WE THE PEOPLE must find a way to discuss the issues of our nation and how to best resolve them according the guidelines left to us in the Constitution. We have to stop trying to manipulate the Constitution to serve our purpose. We have to stop allowing our elected representatives to manipulate the Constitution to serve THEIR purpose.

Our nation is not perfect. Our politicians are not perfect. Our Constitution is not perfect. Our Founding Fathers had the foresight to allow for additional laws or amendments to be added to better serve the American people. Unfortunately, there will be times when we must fight to preserve this sacred document from those who attempt to manipulate it to say something it does not. I have HOPE that the American people have awoken and will use their voice and their vote to protect it.

A Vote For Our Founders is my attempt to help with educating others and myself about our Constitution. Stay tuned for a look back at our Founding Fathers (the good, the bad and the ugly), the process of declaring independence, and the construction of a document that will stand the test of time.

The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1176

2010-03-16T16:19:00.001-04:00