http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/ns/nightly_news/#46374788
What makes THIS national news...robberies happen everywhere. Why it is headline news, because the victim is a Judge? That isn't news, that is irony!
What about the family whose house is broken into by people strung out on meth...the computer they saved up for so that Jr could work on his science project was stolen and never recovered. What about the single mom who had their one vehicle broken into and because of her limited budget and cutting corners she cut back on insurance coverage and now said insurance is not helping...remember the saying you get what you paid for...what if you have no choice?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
No More 'Out of Touch' Options...NO MORE!
Just yesterday one of my opponents, Mitt Romney, was attacked about making the statement, “I’m not concerned about the very poor”. Granted his comments were taken out of context, which he is now insisting, but even in his defense statements he still shows he is out of touch with the “Everyday American”. Mr. Romney goes on to mention that the “very poor…have a safety net” which is quickly becoming overburdened. Mr. Romney again states, “I’ve said throughout the campaign my focus, my concern, my energy is gonna be devoted to helping middle income people, all right?” NO this is not “all right”, because the middle income/middle class population numbers are quickly dwindling, and not because they are joining the famed 1%, but because they are adding quickly to the other 99%, aka “Everyday American”.
Honestly, I am not certain that my other opponent, Newt Gingrich, is any better when it comes to focusing or being in touch with the “Everyday American” either. Although he has characterized himself and his third wife, Calista, as “very frugal” and that “people should be free to spend their own money the way they see fit,” it is still a major red flag that they have a large amount of credit with high class jewelry store, Tiffany & Co. The most inexpensive price point at their website starts at $250. I know some families who could stretch $250 to feed them for over 6 weeks.
According to The Working Poor Families project, in the last year alone the number of “working poor families” increased by 125,000 in 2010, to a total of more than 10 million families.
That is more than the population of my state of residence, Arizona. That is the population of several third world countries. HELLO, is anyone paying attention to this number? We have the equivalent of a third world country within our own boundaries, within AMERICA. This is supposed to be the most wonderful country in the WORLD, in the UNIVERSE…and yet 10 MILLION FAMILIES are “working poor” and the people we have to choose from to lead us have NO CLUE!
Hey I am an equal opportunity picker, and even the current president is OUT OF TOUCH and CLUELESS. Oh he may have come from a single family household and worked his way to where he is now, but he has clearly forgotten those humble beginnings, otherwise he would have done more for the poor and working class these last several years.
Several years ago, I saw a bumper sticker that read,
this greatly impacted me then and still! In fact nearly every time I hear about our government, local and national, making something ‘mandatory’ I think again on this bumper sticker and wonder what is going to ‘give’ in my family’s limited budget.
A minimum wage of $7.65/hour, for the state of Arizona, is equal to a yearly income of $15,912…as a single person that might be a fairly decent income, in an unsafe neighborhood, with unreliable transportation and what about continuing your education to improve yourself and your circumstances. So much for the “American Dream”?
Add some education and life experience to the minimum wage and let’s say you are a single parent of two teens, now you make maybe $15/hour which is $31,200 per year. BUT WAIT, with that education and experience and kids you also have MANDATORY car insurance and soon MANDATORY health insurance. Wait, if you are working for an established company that health insurance might be taken care of, but then the premium increases year after year, can’t say the same for the income. In fact I was at one job where the nearly 5 years I was there, my health/dental/vision insurance premiums went up 60% from that first year. Over that same time frame, did my income go up even 2%...NOPE!
In fact one year we were all ‘gifted’ with an extra two weeks off…without pay.
MANDATORY, is defined as “authoritatively ordered; obligatory; compulsory.” In the state of Arizona it is MANDATORYto have car insurance; in fact it you are caught without you can be fined, depending on the city, nearly $500. Someone please explain to me how a head of household makes the sacrifice of driving without insurance because they can barely afford it, and you want to fine them on top of that cost? Especially when they have a near perfect driving record?
How is making health insurance MANDATORY going to help the bottom line of “Everyday American?” Especially if we nickel and dime “Everyday American” to death! Remember that $31,200 per year that I mentioned a little bit ago. That was before taxes, if one considers the take home pay of that “Everyday American” we would be extremely optimistic to say that single parent family gets by on less than $30,000 per year. That is well below the median household income of $49,777; in fact in 2009 Arizona was ranked as number 2 in poverty, with the statistic that 45% of our states families composed of a female head of household, no husband, with children.
HELLO, is anyone listening? These numbers are sad, these numbers are unacceptable, and these numbers should spurn action from us all! They should make us passionate about being better, about making better circumstances for ourselves and the many others around us!
It should be MANDATORY that our candidate be completely OF the people, BY the people and fully FOR the people! Which is why being out of touch with “Everyday American” is unacceptable…it shouldn’t be ‘all right’ and we “Everyday Americans” should be FED UP and it should be MANDATORY that we show our indignation to these elitist and demand that the majority be in fact properly represented.
I am more IN TOUCH with "Everyday American"...EVERYDAY and this is why I feel I am the best candidate currently out there.
Honestly, I am not certain that my other opponent, Newt Gingrich, is any better when it comes to focusing or being in touch with the “Everyday American” either. Although he has characterized himself and his third wife, Calista, as “very frugal” and that “people should be free to spend their own money the way they see fit,” it is still a major red flag that they have a large amount of credit with high class jewelry store, Tiffany & Co. The most inexpensive price point at their website starts at $250. I know some families who could stretch $250 to feed them for over 6 weeks.
According to The Working Poor Families project, in the last year alone the number of “working poor families” increased by 125,000 in 2010, to a total of more than 10 million families.
10 MILLION FAMILIES!
That is more than the population of my state of residence, Arizona. That is the population of several third world countries. HELLO, is anyone paying attention to this number? We have the equivalent of a third world country within our own boundaries, within AMERICA. This is supposed to be the most wonderful country in the WORLD, in the UNIVERSE…and yet 10 MILLION FAMILIES are “working poor” and the people we have to choose from to lead us have NO CLUE!
Hey I am an equal opportunity picker, and even the current president is OUT OF TOUCH and CLUELESS. Oh he may have come from a single family household and worked his way to where he is now, but he has clearly forgotten those humble beginnings, otherwise he would have done more for the poor and working class these last several years.
Several years ago, I saw a bumper sticker that read,
“A Living Wage, is a Moral Value”
this greatly impacted me then and still! In fact nearly every time I hear about our government, local and national, making something ‘mandatory’ I think again on this bumper sticker and wonder what is going to ‘give’ in my family’s limited budget.
A minimum wage of $7.65/hour, for the state of Arizona, is equal to a yearly income of $15,912…as a single person that might be a fairly decent income, in an unsafe neighborhood, with unreliable transportation and what about continuing your education to improve yourself and your circumstances. So much for the “American Dream”?
Add some education and life experience to the minimum wage and let’s say you are a single parent of two teens, now you make maybe $15/hour which is $31,200 per year. BUT WAIT, with that education and experience and kids you also have MANDATORY car insurance and soon MANDATORY health insurance. Wait, if you are working for an established company that health insurance might be taken care of, but then the premium increases year after year, can’t say the same for the income. In fact I was at one job where the nearly 5 years I was there, my health/dental/vision insurance premiums went up 60% from that first year. Over that same time frame, did my income go up even 2%...NOPE!
In fact one year we were all ‘gifted’ with an extra two weeks off…without pay.
MANDATORY, is defined as “authoritatively ordered; obligatory; compulsory.” In the state of Arizona it is MANDATORYto have car insurance; in fact it you are caught without you can be fined, depending on the city, nearly $500. Someone please explain to me how a head of household makes the sacrifice of driving without insurance because they can barely afford it, and you want to fine them on top of that cost? Especially when they have a near perfect driving record?
How is making health insurance MANDATORY going to help the bottom line of “Everyday American?” Especially if we nickel and dime “Everyday American” to death! Remember that $31,200 per year that I mentioned a little bit ago. That was before taxes, if one considers the take home pay of that “Everyday American” we would be extremely optimistic to say that single parent family gets by on less than $30,000 per year. That is well below the median household income of $49,777; in fact in 2009 Arizona was ranked as number 2 in poverty, with the statistic that 45% of our states families composed of a female head of household, no husband, with children.
HELLO, is anyone listening? These numbers are sad, these numbers are unacceptable, and these numbers should spurn action from us all! They should make us passionate about being better, about making better circumstances for ourselves and the many others around us!
It should be MANDATORY that our candidate be completely OF the people, BY the people and fully FOR the people! Which is why being out of touch with “Everyday American” is unacceptable…it shouldn’t be ‘all right’ and we “Everyday Americans” should be FED UP and it should be MANDATORY that we show our indignation to these elitist and demand that the majority be in fact properly represented.
I am more IN TOUCH with "Everyday American"...EVERYDAY and this is why I feel I am the best candidate currently out there.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Vote for Me!
I am running for president, yes I am…I am throwing my hat into the ring. This blog post is my official announcement of my candidacy. I am jumping in with both feet, no exploratory committee…couldn’t afford one, besides I have done lots of ‘exploring’ on my own and feel there is a need for a new candidate, a candidate OF the people, BY the people (hopefully) who is (truly) ONE of the people!
Ok, so I meet the "official" qualifications, what about the unofficial ones? Well, you see that is one reason why I have decided to run because HOW are those that are currently in the race going to speak for the ‘people’ if they are not one of ‘the people’?
The Occupy Wall Street Movement this past summer highlighted the divide between the rich and poor, what is quickly becoming “Joe and Judy American”…but what about the fact that the divide between the elected officials and “Joe and Judy American”? That gap is nearly as wide. OH, and the 'gap' is not just monetary!!!
I am not from a wealthy or prominent, well known family…well depends on who you ask some in our family will say that my Grandpa and my Dad are ‘infamous’ in their own ways. But seriously, I come from a Middle Class Family (a rare thing now a days) and I have never previously held an office…well I take that back, I was and officer in my Toastmasters group and also in my son’s Head start group. Both of those were, technically elected offices…but the control of my ‘reign’ was very very limited.
I don’t have a college education, but I am working on it. I don’t have an accent. I don’t have a scandal in my background…well not one that I initiated or was involved in, but that is another blog post I am sure. But what I do have is a PASSION and a FRUSTRATION that I am certain nearly every other “Joe and Judy American” has and so regardless of the things I don’t have and perhaps in spite of not meeting the ‘unofficial qualifications’ I am running for President!
More on my platform soon, but what do you think? Admit it your just a little curious and would consider voting for me...maybe?
- According to Article 2, Section 1 clause 5 of the Constitution one must be a natural born citizen of the US, CHECK (I was born in North Dakota)
- Be at least 35 years old…CHECK
- Have been a permanent resident in the US for at least 14 years, CHECK
Ok, so I meet the "official" qualifications, what about the unofficial ones? Well, you see that is one reason why I have decided to run because HOW are those that are currently in the race going to speak for the ‘people’ if they are not one of ‘the people’?
The Occupy Wall Street Movement this past summer highlighted the divide between the rich and poor, what is quickly becoming “Joe and Judy American”…but what about the fact that the divide between the elected officials and “Joe and Judy American”? That gap is nearly as wide. OH, and the 'gap' is not just monetary!!!
I am not from a wealthy or prominent, well known family…well depends on who you ask some in our family will say that my Grandpa and my Dad are ‘infamous’ in their own ways. But seriously, I come from a Middle Class Family (a rare thing now a days) and I have never previously held an office…well I take that back, I was and officer in my Toastmasters group and also in my son’s Head start group. Both of those were, technically elected offices…but the control of my ‘reign’ was very very limited.
I don’t have a college education, but I am working on it. I don’t have an accent. I don’t have a scandal in my background…well not one that I initiated or was involved in, but that is another blog post I am sure. But what I do have is a PASSION and a FRUSTRATION that I am certain nearly every other “Joe and Judy American” has and so regardless of the things I don’t have and perhaps in spite of not meeting the ‘unofficial qualifications’ I am running for President!
More on my platform soon, but what do you think? Admit it your just a little curious and would consider voting for me...maybe?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Neglect, Controversy, and Trepidation...
I was afraid this might happen, but I wanted to do it anyways…I really am interested in this blog and want to do more with it, but I have sorely neglected it! Not because I don’t want to, but because I have some serious apprehension about what to write about and what the purpose of this blog is to be. So please bear with me as I figure it out...
I don’t consider myself a controversial person; I try not to make waves one way or the other. I do have my convictions and although I do have basis and reasons why I believe one thing or the other, I am not very comfortable ‘debating’ why I believe one thing or the other. A pastor once said “I know it in my knower” and there are times that I just know. I will say I am interested in other viewpoints and want to hear their why’s or how’s and am open to a casual ‘discussion, but I still experience some trepidation.
There have been so many topics I have wanted to share here, but on top of my apprehension about being controversial I am also concerned about how I my thoughts here might reflect on me personally and professionally. It just so happens that I am currently in midst of seeking permanent employment, and with the current surplus of candidates I struggle to be as ‘ideal’ as possible. Although I do believe that my lack of a degree past High School, regardless to my vast and varied experience, may be more of a factor in my employment search than this blog, with all the media about policing one’s ‘online presence’ it does add to my uncertainly about what exactly to share.
So where does ‘freedom of speech’ come into play. Not that I have ever felt as if I have anything very profound to share and considering I am fairly ‘middle of the road’ I can’t imagine that my thoughts or ideas are so controversial that anything I do say here will move mountains, change lives or policies but I also don’t wish to lose or offend any friends or family, but apparently I have been doing that for years, knowingly and unknowingly.
I want to continue to share, and not just my writings ‘musings’ but eventually my photography, one of the core reasons I started this blog, but I felt that I had to share this little disclaimer, “so-to-speak”.
So, please know that if I offend, it is not my intention at all. If I am ‘off-base’ on a comment, please know that I am open to learning and perhaps my trepidation and neglect will lessen.
Here's to hopes of reversing the neglect, defeating trepidation, all while avoiding too much controversy.
Monday, July 5, 2010
I just don't understand...again
When I was younger I remember making a comment about "hating" something, probably sweet pickles or something silly like that, and my Grandpa Tony saying "WOW, you don't like them that much that you HATE them, because HATE is a pretty strong word.
This has since impacted me significantly, in fact I find myself saying the same to my kids...
Dictionary.com defines 'dislike' as "to regard with displeasure, antipathy, or aversion" and 'HATE' as 'to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward".
There are many things I 'dislike'...hose in the summer, drivers who don't use their turn signals, yard work...but I honestly cannot think of anything or anyone that I can say I HATE.
I do believe that I am the object of some one's HATE...and this truly scares me because I cannot believe the capacity at which this person HATES me...and to think that at one time this person said the total opposite.
For those of you who know me...or those of you just starting to, you will find that I tend to wear 'rose colored glasses' and constantly try to look on the bright side and numerous other optimistic cliches. But there is one situation where the only positive...the ONLY POSITIVES is that we did make two of the most amazing kids in the world!
I just cannot understand his capacity for HATE me and at every opportunity insult, belittle and 'fight' with me, and there really is no purpose for it.
There are times when I find myself wishing my kids were 18 so that our interactions wouldn't be necessary, but then I can't get over how quickly my kids have already grown up...I don't want to speed it up anymore...I just wish that we could truly just be civil to one another...I mean seriously it does no good to anyone...
Especially those two amazing kids!
This has since impacted me significantly, in fact I find myself saying the same to my kids...
Dictionary.com defines 'dislike' as "to regard with displeasure, antipathy, or aversion" and 'HATE' as 'to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward".
There are many things I 'dislike'...hose in the summer, drivers who don't use their turn signals, yard work...but I honestly cannot think of anything or anyone that I can say I HATE.
I do believe that I am the object of some one's HATE...and this truly scares me because I cannot believe the capacity at which this person HATES me...and to think that at one time this person said the total opposite.
For those of you who know me...or those of you just starting to, you will find that I tend to wear 'rose colored glasses' and constantly try to look on the bright side and numerous other optimistic cliches. But there is one situation where the only positive...the ONLY POSITIVES is that we did make two of the most amazing kids in the world!
I just cannot understand his capacity for HATE me and at every opportunity insult, belittle and 'fight' with me, and there really is no purpose for it.
There are times when I find myself wishing my kids were 18 so that our interactions wouldn't be necessary, but then I can't get over how quickly my kids have already grown up...I don't want to speed it up anymore...I just wish that we could truly just be civil to one another...I mean seriously it does no good to anyone...
Especially those two amazing kids!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Interactive Post-Bumper Stickers
So, I have this funny thing about bumper stickers...I don't know why...but I do...oh and Vanity Plates but we will save that for another post.
This is going to be an interactive post...so please share your favorite Bumper Sticker!
Mine are (in no particular order)
"I drive like a Cullen."
"Never judge a book by its movie" I WOULD put this one on my car!
"They say I have ADD...oh look a chicken!"
"Gone Crazy, Back Soon."
"Some Heros Where Capes...Mine Wear Kevlar" (this was an advert for the Marines...but I figure if you change 'Kevlar' to "Combat Boots"...it could apply to all the armed services!
"Alaska Girls ROCK!"
"Hang up and drive"
OH...my sister sent me this one...."Hike faster I hear banjo music."
"If you can't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them."
Your Turn...share your favorite Bumper Sticker!
This is going to be an interactive post...so please share your favorite Bumper Sticker!
Mine are (in no particular order)
"I drive like a Cullen."
"Never judge a book by its movie" I WOULD put this one on my car!
"They say I have ADD...oh look a chicken!"
"Gone Crazy, Back Soon."
"Some Heros Where Capes...Mine Wear Kevlar" (this was an advert for the Marines...but I figure if you change 'Kevlar' to "Combat Boots"...it could apply to all the armed services!
"Alaska Girls ROCK!"
"Hang up and drive"
OH...my sister sent me this one...."Hike faster I hear banjo music."
"If you can't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them."
Your Turn...share your favorite Bumper Sticker!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
No Greater Love...
“Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13
...Or for complete strangers
...Or for, at times, an ungrateful nation
A few weeks ago I saw a headline at my preferred online local news resource, AZCentral.com, which caught my eye:
As I read the article I became even more upset…apparently a court in Baltimore, Maryland ruled that Albert Snyder, who lost his 20 year old son Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder in Iraq, was to pay some of the court costs of a church that he sued for protesting while he laid his son to rest.
Mr. Snyder was:
Apparently the church group feels that military deaths are God’s punishment for America’s social tolerance of homosexuality.
...last I looked my Bible,
aka the Word of God,
aka Basic Instructions for Leaving Earth,
aka The Book for Me…
States that, “We”, meaning Christians (aka perhaps those of Westboro Baptist Church) are not to judge others (Matthew 7:1-3), in fact the protesters are behaving as the Pharisees did in Jesus’ time. In fact Jesus (aka Christ) said that HE came FOR THE SINNERS!!! (Mark 2:17)
So…is now the time I share that I am NOT a theologian.
Regardless as to how one feels about
I would hope that our right to use
especially a young man…
a young SOLDIER!
Ok, I do have to ask …
Where is the rational that ‘emotional abuse’ is worth a cost of
I wonder if God is thinking...
I, for one, am thankful that HIS court of appeals, understands that I am not perfect (grace) and that HE loves me in spite of myself (MORE GRACE, also called MERCY)…because just being
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
...Or for complete strangers
...Or for, at times, an ungrateful nation
“The Soldier, above all other people, prays for peace,
for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
A few weeks ago I saw a headline at my preferred online local news resource, AZCentral.com, which caught my eye:
As I read the article I became even more upset…apparently a court in Baltimore, Maryland ruled that Albert Snyder, who lost his 20 year old son Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder in Iraq, was to pay some of the court costs of a church that he sued for protesting while he laid his son to rest.
Mr. Snyder was:
ordered510.80 to Fred Phelps, leader of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, an anti-gay group that travels the country picketing military funerals.
–quoted from newspaper article, emphasis on ‘ordered’ mine.
Apparently the church group feels that military deaths are God’s punishment for America’s social tolerance of homosexuality.
WAIT!
...last I looked my Bible,
aka the Word of God,
aka Basic Instructions for Leaving Earth,
aka The Book for Me…
States that, “We”, meaning Christians (aka perhaps those of Westboro Baptist Church) are not to judge others (Matthew 7:1-3), in fact the protesters are behaving as the Pharisees did in Jesus’ time. In fact Jesus (aka Christ) said that HE came FOR THE SINNERS!!! (Mark 2:17)
So…is now the time I share that I am NOT a theologian.
- I do not ‘bible thump’,
- I will and do call myself a “Christian”,
- but I am by no means perfect or even come close to claiming to be such.
- I say often that I "know it, in my knower!"
- In fact there are times when I d r e a d being called a “Christian” because some of the things people do in the name of Christianity, like protesting at a soldier’s funeral, are the very things that turn people away from Christianity.
NO reason, NO justification
for me to protest during a FUNERAL!
Although one might argue that even this blog post is a form of protest.
Regardless as to how one feels about
God…
or death…
or judgment…
or even our ‘right’ as Americans to ‘free speech’
I would hope that our right to use
our brains
our compassion,
our hearts,
our minds,
our common sense
would
STOP us from being so cruel as to PROTEST,
essentially ridicule…belittle…mock,
the death of ANYONE,
especially a young man…
a young SOLDIER!
Ok, I do have to ask …
Where is the rational that ‘emotional abuse’ is worth a cost of
$11 million…
that is the amount that Mr. Snyder sued the church for
…but to what end?
Is $11 million…or
$5 million
(the award was reduced on an appeal) or
any dollar amount
worth the life of a child?
I wonder if God is thinking...
“Gee, I wonder what I can sue ‘Christians’ for,
for using (essentially) MY name
as they do these horrible things against each other?!”
I, for one, am thankful that HIS court of appeals, understands that I am not perfect (grace) and that HE loves me in spite of myself (MORE GRACE, also called MERCY)…because just being
‘human’
is (essentially) it’s own form of protest against
ALL
that
is
GOD!
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
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