Juxtaposition

"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have“--Gerald Ford (Presidential address to a joint session of Congress,12 August 1974) 

A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” --Joseph Smith, Jr.  (Lectures on Faith, 1985, 69)

I heard the first quote recently and it reminded me of the second one.  One is talking about the power (ultimately) to take, and the other the power to ultimately give.  

I won't write a whole essay here today, but I will point out that if you believe the first one, then you believe the government has the power to take away your right to worship according to your own conscience.    I do want your thoughts (short or long) on this.

Thoughts on the tea party.

There will be another tea party. This time I think we'll take the kids.  It's July 4th in Colorado Springs or Monument. 

We had a great time at the Tax Day Tea Party in Denver.  I know, I said we were going to the Springs, but then DH had to travel and it just worked better to be at the one in Denver.  'Sides, I found a willing soul to watch my kids if I went to Denver.  She would have been not so giving if I had opted for the extra drive time to Springs.  

I was thoroughly disappointed with the news "coverage" except on Fox News, of course.  I can't believe what assumptions journalists and commentators have made about people who attended the tea parties.  If you want to know why I went: read on (and don't interrupt with your own agenda).

I went because I am an originalist.  I believe in the Constitution the way it was written and intended to govern by the men who wrote it.  I believe in it in it's original form.  I believe in small government and states' rights.  I believe that most things the Federal government is doing  (and has been doing for generations) is unconstitutional.  I'm a conservative and I believe in self-sufficiency.  I believe that the government should not be in the charity business.  I believe that you have the power to control your destiny.  If you need help then a charity has a much better plan for helping you to help yourself than the government could ever have.  I believe that elected officials are civil servants.  Service infers that this is work done for free.  I believe the government is too big, is meddling in too many things it has no business in, does more damage than good with unintended consequences of its actions, and has become too powerful (see the post above).  I'm done with government in the direction it is going.  I protested to exercise my 1st amendment right to tell my government what I think.  I want change.  I want smaller government.  I want them to know that I am willing to fight for what I believe.  I want change back to the original intent of the Constitution without revolution.  But, if  revolution is what it takes, then I'm in for that!

A new leaf.

I am turning over a new leaf in my life.  I am changing my uniform.  I will replace my harmless, offend few, vacation souvineer, event recognizing, championship celebrating t-shirts.  I now want only conservative message t-shirts.  I want my message to be loud and clear to people who read.  I want all to know what I think, where I stand, and what I want for my country.  I want to offend as many literate liberals as I can every time I walk out my door.  I'm done being silent.  I just don't want to lose my voice being loud.

If you want to help my cause (or causes of  your own):  

http://www.zazzle.com/dontgo

http://www.cafepress.com/rightwingstuff 

I like M or L in any color you want.  

Tea Party

I have been thinking for the last few weeks about the Boston Tea Party.  I want to get my government's attention.  I want them to know how I feel about their "leadership."  I want them to know that I am not afraid to rise up in revolt against them.  I want them to know that I am unafraid of a revolution to "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."

Yesterday, I heard about the "Chicago Tea Party" that was held in Cincinnati and was very excited about the idea.  Then I was sent this website by my great husband:  taxdayteaparty.com   Then went to their website and joined the Facebook Group.  And then I read that I could win free stuff if I blogged about it.  (I wasn't really thinking about blogging about it, but then I realized that I should be blogging about it because I am thinking about it so much and I am sooooo excited for this whole idea to take shape.)  So if you want to get free stuff too (and who wouldn't want free stuff)  go to this page: taxdayteaparty.com/contest.html and check out the stuff you can win over here at the store. (You can buy the way cool stuff at that site too.)

While you are at the main page take a moment to read the message and find out where your nearest Tax Day Tea Party will be held.  There are 2 within an hour of me.  There should be one close to you.  I think I will go, but maybe to the one in Springs  so its not so crowded!

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

To be or not to be a registered Republican, that is the question.  And it is a difficult one.   Growing up I was taught about the two parties (Democratic and Republican).  I also learned about other parties, but thought they were just out there and I was too mainstream for that.  

Or am I?

I must admit I wasn't much for primary politics before I moved to Colorado, but I voted now and then in the primaries because I could.  Now I live in a caucus state and the whole activity has been made into a night out with like-minded people instead of 5 minutes in a booth.  When I lived in Michigan you could vote in the primary elections regardless of your registered party status.  You just picked up one ballot for whichever party you wanted to vote for.  In Colorado there are primary elections for some seats (instead of caucuses) and you must have a registered party affiliation to vote in the primaries, and you must vote in that party's primary elections.  Sounds reasonable, right?

Well, not if you are me.  I am quite sure that the bulk of the Republicans in the United States are conservatives, and that many are even very conservative.  I just feel that many who are elected are not.  They make choices that show me that they are Socialists, Entitlists, Elitists, and Democrats with an "R" next to their name.  They make me feel like the Republican party has left me (double-speak intended).  

Here is where my quandary is: I want to change my party affiliation to one that more consistantly reflects my views. I realize that rarely will someone from that party be running for all the offices to which I elect representatives.  I know that in my swing state many of the races in which I have a vote, it could go either way.  If I vote for someone from my new party does that give the Dem an edge?  Did I just throw my vote away by not voting for someone more likely to get elected?  And what of primary politics.  There would be few, if any, offices in which I would get to vote.  I would have little say over who was on the ballot when it came down to November and my choices were limited to nobody I could have voted for in July.

Primary politics and a say in who is on the ballot, or the need to align myself with people who believe as I do and further the cause of the conservative.  To be or not to be?  That is the question.

The Founding Fathers and the economy

Now, I'm not much for CNBC.  I avoid watching at all costs.  I did come across this video and liked it.  Mostly I liked the first minute and the last minute.  It really sums up much of my feelings on the "pork, special interests, welfare, socialism" bill that was just passed to make government bigger.  It also expresses what I feel about today's America and the one that Franklin and Jefferson and the like designed for us.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=10398498530p

Election Reaction

My initial reaction to the outcome of the election really surprised me.  After prior elections I have been disappointed, sad, relieved, excited and even apathetic.  I was totally unprepared for the intense fear and sense of insecurity I felt that accompanied the election of Barack Obama to the presidency.  

It should not surprise you that I voted for John McCain.  He does not represent my ideals exactly, but he does generally.  He is a man of his word, and he does what he thinks is right--even if his party doesn't agree with him.  I often disagree with his choices and find myself disappointed with his compromises.  I became very excited about his candidacy when he put Sarah Palin on the ticket.  

I am a registered republican.  I feel, however, that the party has left me (double speak intended).  I understand libertarians and think that they are right on some issues.  I probably most identify with members of the constitution party.  I remain a registered republican so that I can participate in primary elections.  

This is the first year that I have lived in a swing state during a presidential election.  In '96 I was not registered to vote, and was living away from home so it was difficult to register.  In '00 I voted, in UT (and not for the republican candidate).  We moved to MI (a swing state) in '01 but left there in June of '04.  In '04 we voted in CA.  I voted republican but knew that there was no chance to turn that state red.  I felt like I was voting into an abyss.   In late '05 (the day after election day) we moved here to CO and have managed to stay for 3 years.  This is the first time I felt that my vote for president might have some real meaning.  

I must admit that I don't believe much of what comes out of any particular politician's mouth.  I believe that many will say anything to get elected.   I remain skeptical of all promises.   I research the candidates voting history, if available; their stance on specific issues, and not promises of change for the sake of change; their employment history; military service or lack thereof; their political history; associations; criminal/civil history; etc.   I believe that actions speak much louder than words.  I believe that chosen associations and actions speak to a person's character, ideals, and judgement: qualities used in political office.   I believe the connections politicians make and keep say much about who they are and what they value.  I believe the issues they ignore or champion also speak volumes about them.  That is why I did not vote for Barack Obama.

Now, back to my intense fear.  I fear that the lifestyle I lead will not change.  I will make the same choices about how I worship, what I teach my children, the values that I hold, and the actions I take based upon those things.  I fear that my current life as a law abiding citizen won't change.  I fear that I will find myself living the same way and being an outlaw for it.  The constant feeling of fear has passed (finally), but I think it will return on Jan 20.

Maybe I fear this because of how much I love my country.  I do not love the country we have become.  I love the country we were.  I love the Constitution.  I love the freedoms I am guaranteed in it, through it, and by it.  I know it is an inspired document, written by men with help from God.  I know the men who wrote it were men of God, chosen by Him to build this country and give it the power to be great.  I believe the President of the United States to be a special position.  I believe that it comes with special protection and guidance as long as the President supports the Constitution.  I know that the principles of divided power and shared leadership are great.  The men who wrote the Constitution knew this was the best kind of government as long as those in power were not corrupt nor abused the power given to them by the people.  I spent much of the election season wishing that Ronald Reagan, George Washington, or Abraham Lincoln was running.  Thomas Jefferson would not have been someone I would have voted for had I lived way back then, but I found myself wishing that he were on the ticket.  I know that before the apocolypse comes, the Constitution will hang by a thread.  I am starting to wonder how thin that thread has to get.

I will be writing much more about this topic in the future. This is just my initial reaction and deals nothing with what I have subsequently learned nor with what I think about Obama's promises.

So that's how democracy dies... to thunderous applause!

Deja vu all over again.

It's like deja vu all over again--Yogi Berra

Every 4 years I have the same feeling: I vote for the better candidate just knowing  that one of them is going to win though neither of them is entirely the kind of person i want to vote for.

Now, for what's on my mind

Obama is a fascist. Really, I could stop right there.  

I think I came to this realization while I was at Costco (of all places).  Aside: I love the new Costco in Parker, it is unbusy, it is 2 miles away instead of 6, and I don't feel like I have to have a reason to go all the way over there because it is just right here.  I was looking through books for some cookbooks and christmas presents.  There were 5 pro-Obama books and 1 anti-Obama book.  There were no McCain books of any kind.  Then I went down to kids books and there was a kids book called Barack.  Again, no McCain books anywhere in sight.  I suddenly felt like I was living 75 years ago in Germany.

They say history repeats itself.  They say we study history so that we can learn from the mistakes of the past.  Apparently, we have been sleeping through history class.  

Let's review the facts:

• Hitler was was of mixed race, one of which he was ashamed of and wanted to eradicate.  
  
• Barack Hussein Obama is of mixed race, one of which he would like to eradicate (read his autobiography).
• Both came to power under legitimately, albeit rapidly and were relatively unknown to the masses when they were elected.
• Immediately Hitler began to indoctrinate the youth with their ideals.
• Obama has a comprehensive plan for teaching sex at every grade level including kindergarten. (I think all sex education should be taught at home.) 
• Obama feels the need to market a book at children, who can't vote, about himself and his ideals before he is even elected.
• Hitler was beloved by his people as their savior.
• The MSM (main stream media) has all but anointed Obama.
• Obama is the most "liberal" (meaning left-wing crazy) in the Senate.  
• Obama lies about his associations with terrorist and other hate-groups.
• Obama wants to kill capitalism and socialize everything.  He doesn't understand economics. (I'll post about that later.)

All Obama has ever wanted is Power.  Every new political position is just a stepping stone to the next elected office. 

He does no work while taking our tax dollars.  He almost never votes on issues in the Senate.  He usually votes "present."  That's like getting marked present in school but sleeping all day.

Obama wants to be the leader of the free world, but has no opinions on most legislation that comes through the Senate.  

The similarities continue (and more are welcome in the comments).  

I want a HUGE sign for my front yard that explains to the lemmings out there how bad a choice Obama would be. Maybe my sign should say:

OBAMA IS A FASCIST.   

Maybe that is too subtle.  Maybe the words are too big.  Maybe it should just say:

OBAMA=HITLER.

Oh, don't think McCain is getting off scot-free. I am saving that rant for another day.