A Bit Off Topic, but . . .

I realize in this world, we do much more complaining than sharing appreciation and I just have to comment on something I saw twice yesterday that literally touched my heart to tears. First, I watched the short video of Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford's resignation. Of course, that was emotional, watching all those that so deeply cared about her, but I noticed something in John Boehner that I truly found compelling. Now, I've read a lot of press about his emotional displays, and I can't speak for his politics, but watching him with Congresswoman Giffords just truly touched me. First, she has a noticeably affected side from the shooting. She was approaching his platform to render her resignation when she obviously experienced some difficulty. He quickly, without hesitation or checking for a photo op, reached out to steady and assist her. Once she was on the platform, he gently kissed her cheek. This was a very emotional moment and it was clear to see Speaker Boehner was affected. He is portrayed to be almost manipulative with his display of emotion, but I didn't see that. I saw a man, that set all politics aside, and showed immense compassion for a woman that has been through an unbelievable ordeal and survived. As I said, I'll not address his politics, but he is one republican that I have no doubt experiences life beneath the ivory tower of politics. I read his bio at Wikipedia and this man's life is certainly not reflective of our average politicians. He was not born with a silver spoon. I have a respect for him that crosses all party lines and appreciated his nonpartisan humanity. Now, the other event I witnessed was an old video of Elvis performing "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!" Funny, I don't think I view 3 videos a month but two in one day were very heart warming. Naturally, hearing Elvis sing, especially gospel is wonderful, but it wasn't his singing that caught my attention this time. As the video played, there was a piccolo solo in the transition of the medley and the man played beautifully, of course, but a camera came back to Elvis as he watched the man play. It was a moment! Watching Elvis, a very, very, very talented musician appreciate the talent of someone else is difficult to put into words, and yet here I am attempting to do just that. The expression of humble admiration and appreciation was so warm. When it comes to talents and showmanship, it seems most talented folks appreciate the sound of their own voice the most, but this was a moment of rare exception. Maybe it was more than just his talent, maybe it was the humility of Elvis that made him so amazingly popular and perhaps it is the compassion and empathy of John Boehner that has brought him to this place of prominence in our nation.
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Upon Further Checking

I believe the time of exploratory committee has come to a close and if I wanted any chance at all of getting on primary ballots, I needed to actually declare my candidacy before the first primary, but that somehow seems so "politics as usual." I'm not a Washington insider so the logical decision is to run a write-in campaign. And that's my plan! I think a write-in campaign makes sense in this case, because any vote for me will be an obvious choice and it can be done with no fund raising! I like the idea that we can actually campaign on the net and simply write in our choice. The election of our next President doesn't have to depend upon who can beg the most donations and thus afford the biggest campaign ads. We can actually go beyond name recognition and fund raising and get to real ideas and proposed implementation. This is the opportunity for "we the people" to challenge the politics as usual and the electoral college, as well. The electoral college will be a deal, though, because 48 of the 50 states have a "winner take all" policy in place, so I'm going to have to get pretty internet famous to win the electoral college vote. To be honest, it really looks like only the 1% can be President of the United States, but I just can't accept that yet. Considering the OWS movement and so much information about the 1% and Wall Street, how can we just elect someone that can't even relate to where we are? The 1% is not in touch with what it is to try to eek out an existence in America, these days.
Now, as for the actual issue, this isn't about me or any candidate. This is about someone in leadership realizing that the American dream is not a gift or entitlement from the government, or even the same thing for all of us, but to also realize it is not the government's reward for voting along party lines. The idea that the Middle Class can continue to support the aristocracy and the impoverished, as well as those that are "ready for retirement" and the ever growing group of "disabled" that can manage to do everything but hold a job, is what must be addressed. The Middle Class doesn't need a government hand-out, the Middle Class needs to become larger and the aristocracy needs to pay their fare share of taxes and the impoverished need to be ready to embrace opportunity as well as realize and live within their financial limits. It's time to take ownership, even if that means limiting what we own until we can afford more . . . And this country absolutely needs to do away with disability as a career. If someone is truly disabled, and who can say . . . but it's time for some real crack downs and pay backs for those that "cannot work" but manage a very full life otherwise. It's time to put begging back into the perspective that it is. I am certainly not suggesting that we become a discompassionate nation or one that rejects immigrants, but we must stop rewarding those that take advantage of the system at the expense of the Middle Class. Then and only then, will the Middle Class regain it's footing!
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am YHWH your G-d.

House Cleaning at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

As I continue to explore the possibility of a Presidential Campaign, I must say, if we Americans want to do anything besides cry "Foul" at the other party, we need a non career politician involved. Is it even possible, at this point to have anyone that believes in moderation? And by moderation, I'm not suggesting flip-flopping or wishy-washy, I'm talking about someone that is not "in your face elitist" while calling it transparency or someone of authoritarian hypocrisy. Surely, we want more for our country than that. Maybe our country is having some economic hardships, because not only have we forgotten all about paying as you go, and embraced "entitlements," but we have leaders who enjoy their entitled amenities as well. If I were elected president, I would begin cleaning up the White House expenditures, first. I realize there is certain protocol already in place and that's fine, but there is a lot more that could be trimmed and changed. The President, of course, lives rent free in the White House, and can enjoy the amenities of Camp David at no cost. Blair House, as I understand it, is 70,000 sq. ft. of four connecting townhouses also available to the President for guests or per his/her discretion. We've all read about the Presidential State Car and although I didn't see it in the list, there is the big bus now also, as well as the Presidential plane, Air Force One, and the private helicopter for his use, dubbed Marine One. Then there is the White House staff and Secret Service . . . and all of these are for the convenience, safety, comfort, and efficiency of the President and the first family. With all this available, I mean it's not like a president has to fill these tanks themselves, so why are the following figures needed?
The President receives an annual salary of $400,000.00. This was approved by Congress and President Bill Clinton to become effective the first year of the next administration. Let us not forget that both this administration and the previous one are each members of the exclusive 1%, as are the present GOP contenders. So, in addition to all the above mentioned amenities and salary, the President is also given a $50,000.00 annual expense account, and $100,000.00 nontaxable travel account. Last but certainly not least, there is $19,000.00 annually allotted for entertainment. Even if the President had to buy their own groceries, this is outrageous. I've been to Washington DC, as just a Jane Doe, citizen and the groceries didn't seem that expensive.
Realizing the job of President can be a bit dangerous and visiting dignitaries do deserve safety, the Secret Service will remain in place through my potential administration. And as a woman president, I have to be honest, I don't really want to figure out how I'd clean that great big house, so the staff would have to stay, but the number of Presidential aids would be reduced and my spouse would have only one. My faith is important to me, not to be forced on others, but that I live by it, so I would want $40,000 of the annual salary to go to my place of worship. That is my tithe and the rest of my salary would be placed in a trust for the next generation. I am not sure at this time the proper procedure to accomplish this, but I will not draw the annual salary. Public service is supposed to be exactly that, service! I'm not doing this for free though. If I don't have to personally pay for the fuel in Air Force One, I'll not be needing a travel account. I think all the meetings that will be required as part of the job will be adequate travel time for me, and that's all covered. My idea of entertainment doesn't cost $19,000.00 probably in a lifetime, but certainly not annually, so I truly believe, unless there is some sort of hidden expense to this job, the annual expense account will be more than enough. Fifty Thousand dollars is a great deal more income than a large percentage of this nation is earning annually and they do have mortgages or rent to pay and gasoline to buy. It is my firm conviction that an elected leader, in order to relate to those they are leading, need to live within a certain constraint themselves. So, if I were to become President, I realize this is just a drop in the bucket, but I will be reducing the cost to the taxpayers by nearly $2,000,000.00. Now, if I were elected and discover I have to pay the light bill on that big mansion, I may have to rethink this, but the way it stands now and the way I understand it to read, being president appears to be the highest form of entitlement housing and transportation, this nation offers.
No man is able to be a servant to two masters: . . . You may not be servants of G-d and of wealth. New Testament

Freedom Party

Upon further discussion about forming an exploratory committee, we have determined the true essence of this potential presidential campaign, and that is FREEDOM. In all of our political partisanship and political correctness to be intolerant, we've lost sight of what we claim as a founding pillar of our nation, and that is freedom. We still have freedom and we've got to stop being willing to throw it away to control someone else, anyone else! So, if in fact I do throw my hat in the ring or someone steps up and declares their candidacy to run in the Freedom Party, here's my next campaign promise. We hear a lot about what the founding fathers meant and we are all in agreement that Congress really has become pretty much ineffective. Here's my plan. We take our nation's focus back to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, along with the rest of the amendments, and that's all. Then we sit Congress down, the new Congress that is, and explain to them we will be forming new legislation based upon the Constitution and Bill of Rights, with the spirit of the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address in mind, and; this new legislation will not be based upon archaic interpretation of power or invasion of privacy.
We have the freedom to work, and we will demand it of ourselves and our government! We have the freedom to be productive, and we will continue to embrace that proud tradition and expand upon it. We have the freedom to provide charity and assistance and we will move that into a more realistic realm. Since Social Security and Disability are now considered an entitled retirement plan, both will be distributed on a lump sum basis, formulated according to what has been paid in and age at which collection begins. For those already in the system, you will not be refused or neglected, but there will be a cap in which the benefits move from federal funding to state aid. Medicare will follow suit and become like insurance with a lifetime cap and limit. Defense spending will need to be adjusted to include the fact that young men fighting old men's wars, get hurt and may need long term provisions. They at least need decent hospitals in which to recover and they certainly do not need to buy their own gear or lunch. But as I already mentioned in the Grass Roots Campaign, we aren't going to police the whole world or tell everyone else what needs to be done . . . We need to work on our own example before we use military force! We, the people have the freedom to take our country back! Let's exercise that freedom while we still have it.
you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free

Grassroot Campaign

If we don't vote, we don't have the right to complain . . . Well, this is America and we all want the right to complain! Amirite? So, in order to form a more perfect union in which we are free to complain, we have to find a candidate that is worthy of our vote. We have to find a candidate that isn't "politics as usual" or wealthy elite, pretending to be "average American." All of the current candidates are "The 1%." How are the rest of us ever going to have a voice, if the same group just continues to take turns? I truly believe at the end of the day, the politicians all light their cigars raise their brandy snifters and get along just fine, celebrating their award winning performances that continue to get them elected by "we the people" who are beginning to realize we feel like serfs in an aristocracy or peasants of the plutocracy. I don't want to vote for the lesser of two evils, because the lesser of two evils is still evil! I want a viable candidate that is not pretending to be average. I don't want a family values hypocrite and I don't want an elitist liberal that cares about all the people beneath them!!! I have nothing against the guys born with a silver spoon in their mouth or hand. What I don't like is their pretense that they've worked their way up and I don't like their inference that the rest of us are just not "boot-strappy" enough to be in their shoes! I want a president that is average America. I want a president that knows what it's like to actually have to worry about paying a light bill or affording groceries. I'm not talking about the extreme of poverty, I'm just talking about someone that has had to consider the juggling, the day before pay-day . . . the choice between a couple of gallons of gasoline and a gallon of milk. I'm not suggesting the boot-strappiness of hunted venison or hunger, but I am talking about the person that knows where food comes from and if they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, to realize that fact; acknowledge that fact . . . and know all of us weren't born with the same privilege! Now I'm sure there is someone much more qualified than I, to serve as this nation's leader, but someone has to step up to the plate and get the ball rolling; so here's my offer and my platform. I am a Serial bride but I've never divorced a sick spouse for someone I was having an affair with, Newt Gingrich. I'm not a sociopath or psychopath, although I'm crazier than Tom Eagleton was ever accused of being, and I've never done cocaine. I'm not a cheer leader, although I was on the drill team, Rick Perry, and I'm not a Teavangelical, although I do follow Messiah, and when I ran for public office in 2000, the evidence proves the people cried, "give us a criminal," very much like "Give us Barabbas," so there is that! I'm definitely marching to a different drumbeat, but I've never sought treatment for depression, I like the different drumbeat! My platform is simple in this party of "Choice" which does not divide life and choice and neither do I. I will not require anyone to have my beliefs as proven by my marriage . . . but I will live and make decisions according to my beliefs that I am to treat all others as I'd like to be treated. I will repeal Obamacare, in that insurance will not be the legal strong arm of the government, but all those that desire medical coverage will be offered a public option. I will sign, by executive order, that no herb of creation is illegal. For the next generation and the one after that, although I cannot and will not reduce medicare and social security for those that believe they are the entitled, I will sign into law, the forgiveness of student loan debt that is 5 years or older and will offer all those in college now, a choice. You can opt to pay as you go or receive scholarships. There will be no student loan debt for the next 10 years. If you are gifted for a higher education, you will qualify for scholarships at some school, even if it is not the most expensive one of your choosing. There will be no more instant gratification without considering the long term cost for the next generation. We simply must STOP "kicking the can down the road."
As for "job creation," I have started two companies in the midst of the economic downturn and will encourage others to do the same. I will not promise to finance new businesses, but I do promise to penalize outsourcing, by taxation. As for my foreing policy, We, do not have the right to tell the rest of the world how to do things, and by the way, the rest of the world doesn't think we are doing that "whiz bang" of a job, anyway, so we will keep our treaties, covenants, and obligations, but we will not be starting anything new, and as for my domestic policy . . . that is my already mentioned platform. We will not be throwing money at anything and calling it a solution! As your candidate, I am a mother and grandma that doesn't want to leave a burden of debt on the next generation. That is certainly no inheritance! I will, as a candidate, stop dividing the people, and lead us to come together for the sake of the Union and the sake of the next generation.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. New Tesatament

How Spiritual is Football?

Tebow is in the news. He's in advertisements, his name is getting to be synonymous with Sunday. Prayer, football, Tebow. See, it just seems to connect. This blog isn't really about Tebow's beliefs, as he obviously seems quite sincere, whatever his beliefs are. What I'm noticing is the opinions flying around about Tebow, prayer, and football. I know several young men "Tebowed" in their school hallway through class change and found themselves in a bit of a jam over it. The comments were interesting. Some made comments as if the boys were persecuted for praying in school, but they weren't praying, they were Tebowing. Then there was the big Pat Robertson outrage about SNL's skit. The video link was sent to me, and to be honest, I found it to be a pretty interesting sermon . . . about priorities. The Jesus character told them he had other folks calling on his attendance and intervention as well. He couldn't just do football games, there were beauty pageants . . . Which of course made me stop and think. Again, whatever Tebow believes is between him and G-d, but in a world of 7 billion people with many children starving, wars and rumors of wars, plagues and pestilence, do we really believe football should be a prayer priority. I do want to say this for young Mr. Tebow. If he wants to thank G-d for his ability and give G-d the glory for his wins, and be gracious in the losses, I think that's great. Do I think a football victory is a miracle? NO, I do not. Do I think football is one of those things that has eternal value? I like a good game of football. I followed the Superbowl by sports blog and loved it, but of eternal value? . . . Again, NO, I don't think so. But how much of America's entertainment and how many of our priorities are of eternal value? If Mr. Tebow is on one knee thanking G-d in the end zone, I think that's great. I wish he could have the same influence off the field, so the young people can pray at school, rather than just Tebow.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. New Testament