Get Out and Vote... Today

Today is election day. Please. Get out and vote. Don't worry if you're voting for the right person or thing. If you're voting, you're doing it right. Today is the day for your voice to be hear. Go vote.

Thursday Thoughts

Shopping - I have done tons of Christmas shopping this past week without even trying to! I have 10 people in my immediate family to shop for and I am done with three of them. I am almost done with three more, and I have four people that I haven't started yet. I just love it when it comes together effortlessly.

Good News - for Teresa over at the Grammy Girlfriend blog. Jack was able to be moved to a rehab facility back home in Shreveport. Keep them in your prayers. Teresa has bronchitis which has limited her time with Jack, but the rest of the family is visiting him often. I never realized before what a long, slow recovery period stroke patients (and their families) endure. Click here for her blog.

Election - the election excitement is really heating up. I am watching at least a dozen races with extreme interest. I can't wait for Nov. 2nd. I got my mail-in ballot last week and I plan to fill it out and mail it early next week. The 2000's have had some really exciting elections, some of the best that I can remember since I started voting. On Nov. 3rd I will begin to get excited for the 2012 Presidential Election. I need to find a countdown clock to put on my political blog for that one...

Weather - I'm not even going to waste my breath or your time by whining again about how hot it is here. I'm going to concentrate on the positive; which is that by next Tuesday they're calling for temps in the low 80s with a chance of (gasp) rain! I'll believe it when I see it. Actually, I'll believe it when I feel it.

Vacation - Dan's vacation from Sam's Club comes to an end on Sunday. He heads back to work on Monday and both of us are bummed. Well, I mean we're grateful that he has the Sam's Club job, we just wish we could see an end in sight. August & September were both terrific months for appraisals, and October has started off with a bang. We're praying that the rest of the year holds steady. He plans to re-evaluate things at the end of January and make a decision about going part-time.

Thanksgiving - on a final note, I want to remind you that six weeks from today is Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for this year. Fortunately, I'm not waiting til Thanksgiving to start counting my blessings.

A New Blog

I love politics, current events, the news; as a matter of fact, it's kind of an obsession with me. There are very few subjects that I don't have an opinion on.

Now that it's election season, I have a lot to say on the subject of politics. I just don't necessarily feel comfortable saying it on this blog. So, I started another one. A blog that will have no posts regarding my family life, only my political opinion.

It's called "The Reality Is...". I came up with that title because my friend Marti pointed out to me once that I say that phrase frequently.

You've been warned. If you're not interested in politcal, societal, cultural issues or current events, don't check out the blog. If you are interested in those subjects, check it out. I'd be interested in learning your opinion, too. You can find the link on the right hand side of this page under "My Blog List".

Election Countdown Clock

Check out the countdown clock to the 2010 Midterm Elections that I put on the right hand side of my blog!

I know, watching the news every day is reminder enough, but I thought if you get tired of the news, you can find a friendly reminder here!

75%

According to a Fox NewsDynamic Opinion Poll released yesterday, 75% (this is what I remember hearing, I tried to find the poll online to confirm this number but couldn't find it) of us don't feel that we are being represented by our elected officals. I don't know about you, but I find this number to be shocking.

When we hear poll results, we tend to view them through the filter of our personal politics. But this poll means 75% of everyone... meaning, the left doesn't feel represented, the right doesn't feel represented, the center doesn't feel represented. This is huge, and if it continues to build, watch out come election day.

If you are among the 75% that don't feel represented by your senators and congress members, you know what you can do - VOTE! Look up your members and familiarize yourself with how they are voting on the issues that are important to you. Read up on the challengers running against them this year and determine if they are more representative of your personal politics. Make informed decisions.

There is a groundswell of "throw the bums out" mentality. That's all well and good, but somebody has to replace those bums. Let's not make the same old mistakes when it comes to casting our vote. We have the opportunity to change things in Washington DC, as well as in our local and state governments. We can and will make a difference with our vote.

2010 Census

We received our census form in the mail yesterday. I filled it out in less than two minutes (there are only two of us) and we mailed it back last night.

I answered all the questions but one, my home phone number. I have a really good reason for that. A few months after completing the 2000 census, we got a phone call from the Department of Agriculture wanting us to answer a few questions. If I had answered the phone I would have said no, and that would have been the end of it. However, Dan answered and said yes. For the next 12 months we were hounded with phone calls from them asking us questions that took up to 30 minutes to answer. Yeah, I won't be giving my home phone number to the federal government any time soon.

Which brings me to another item. I am so sick of emails and robo-calls from politicians. Arrgh! I consider myself to be an intelligent person. I watch the news, and understand what I am hearing. I am well informed and have the ability to make up my mind about what I think is right or wrong. I have not asked any of these people to call or email me. The calls are simple, I just hang up. But the emails drive me nuts.

I've been getting emails from some guy running for congress. The first few emails I received, I couldn't even tell if he was running in my state or not. I kept replying, take me off your list. The last one I received was the final straw. He is running in Arizona, so I felt more comfortable in being direct. I replied with a pronouncement much like the one above. That I can make my own choices, and do not need to be coerced into voting for a candidate by unwanted emails. I also stated that because he persisted in sending me emails after being asked not to, that I would gladly tell all of my friends and family not to vote for him. (Of course, that was an empty threat because I can't even remember his name). I did not expect a reply, but I did get one, from an aide apologizing on his behalf for her error in not removing my name when asked. I was impressed that she responded, but the throwing herself under the bus; I could have done without.

Anyway, sorry to get off subject. Fill out your census form... it's painless.

John Edwards

OK, this is purely an opinion piece, you may disagree with me and we'll still be friends. I have to admit right at the top that I've never been a John Edwards fan. He strikes me as being too slick and glib. On my scale of rating politicians those qualities are near the top of my list of unforgivable characteristics.

That being said... I watched some show on ABC last night about John Edwards affair. I think it was 20/20. (I don't watch anything on ABC so am not familiar with their shows or news people). I only saw the last 30 minutes, but I am even more appalled at the things John Edwards has done than I was before.

Can you imagine how his wife, Elizabeth must feel. If I were her I would be thinking, "I wasted my HEALTH on this jerk!"

I don't have a very high opinion of Andrew Young and his wife either, however, I'm somewhat impressed with their willingness to admit the wrongs they committed in this whole situation. I also understand that they will profit from the mistakes they made. I thought it was pathetic that he kept saying that he's now unemployable. He's not, he's just unemployable in politics. I'm sure he can get some other type of job, but I guess he feels some other type of job would be beneath him.

I guess the moral of this story is that we rarely acknowledge that we are capable of unimaginable actions. I got the impression that the Young's look at themselves and can't believe they got caught up in this mess. They just kept repeating, we were wrong for doing this, we were wrong for doing that. They also expressed sorrow and remorse for their roles in enabling John Edwards to perpetrate such a lie.

Wonder if John Edwards will bounce back from this? What his wife will do? How he'll make amends to the daughter he denied? Stay tuned, I'm sure we haven't heard the last of him.

Wake-up Call

Well, the Republican won in Massachusetts. Wow. I appreciated Scott Brown's comment that this was a "win for Independents". That's my thought, too. I'm sure there will be plenty of Republicans gloating over this win, but they are missing the bigger picture. This was not only a wake-up call for the Dems, but for the Republicans also.

People are tired, angry, and frustrated at the way things work in Washington. The Congress has had the lowest approval ratings for months. Yet, they continue to ignore the outcry and conduct business as usual.

Even if you're not very political it's easy for your voice to be heard - you can vote. Mid-term elections will be held in November. You can be prepared by paying attention to who's running for what in your state. Get to know the candidates; it's never been easier than it is now with the Internet. Vote for the person who most matches your belief system. Don't fall into the trap of thinking your vote doesn't count. I don't care if your spouse/family/friend votes for the exact opposite of you; that doesn't cancel your vote. EVERY vote counts.

2010 is going to be a fascinating year! Make sure you play an active role in deciding our futures.

It's Election Day! (and misc. items)

1. Today is the special election in Massachusetts to replace the late Senator Ted Kennedy. It is going to be an exciting election, and could well set the tone for the 2010 Election Cycle.

I am a political junky (plus I'm addicted to the news in general), so the fact that it's time for the mid-terms is exciting for me. I have long been a proponent of more than two political parties. The first time I could vote for President, I voted for the independent candidate. I am registered as a Republican, but I'm very independent and tend to vote for the person, not the party.

This year, I'm watching the Tea Party candidates with interest. In my opinion, they have the best shot of any group (in my lifetime) of becoming a true third party choice. At this point, regardless of who wins in Massachusetts, this race has been a referendum on health care reform.

It remains to be seen if anyone in Washington, DC is listening...

2. I am so thrilled! Four people have contacted me regarding donations for the orphanage in Haiti. This weekend we're going to the 99 cent store to buy baby shampoo, etc. I plan to call the office in CO before I ship to confirm their needs and shipping instructions.

3. It rained here yesterday, and there is a chance of rain every day this week. Yippee! They are forecasting that we may get up to 3 inches from this series of storms. That's more rain than we had the entire year of 2009. I plan to soak up (no pun intended) these cloudy days, they are so rare here.

Let the 2010 Election Cycle Begin!

I love politics. I am also a news junkie. My idea of "perfect" is to have a bank of six televisions in my living room so I can monitor the cable outlets and one or two local stations at the same time.

After last night's election, I sense that the 2010 campaign season will begin immediately. And not a moment too soon. I can't wait to see who emerges as strong candidates, the effect the campaign season will have on pending legislation, the tenor of the rhetoric.

The entire House is up for re-election and 1/3 of the Senate. Historically, the party in control loses 17 house seats during a mid-term election. The exceptions to this were George W Bush in 2002, and Franklin Roosevelt in 1934.

I'm especially excited by this grass roots movement of voting for the beliefs of the candidate, rather than their party. I have long advocated a multi-party system. Plus, throughout our country's history, the party's have changed and evolved into other entities. Maybe it's time for some evolution!

Regardless, it's definitely time for all of us to pay attention, educate ourselves on the issues, and the candidates, and VOTE when we have the opportunity.