March 25, 2009

12-Year-Old Girl Gives Speech on Abortion

My mother sent me the link to this video, and I was so touched by it, I felt compelled to post it since today is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

She did an amazing job on this speech for her 7th grade class.

February 18, 2009

The Worst Is Yet To Come

I’m trying really hard not to like President Obama so damn much.  As a Republican, my views of government are dramatically different, but I’m still concerned about health care, the fact that Social Security is bankrupt, education, environmental issues, abortion (I’m against it) and the economy.

Lately, while reading about our President’s plans and listening to reporters talking about his first month in office, when I hear something I don’t like, I’ve been giving President Obama a pass.  Because I like him. I may not agree with him, but I’m no Rush Limbaugh.  I don’t want the President to fail.

However, when I read news articles like these, my blood boils.

His goal is to prevent millions of American families from losing their houses because they can’t make mortgage payments.

I confess.  I reacted first.  I was angry.  If I don’t make my mortgage payment, does that mean I get a free pass?  A free house?  Wrong.  If I don’t pay my mortgage, the bank will take my house.  No one is going to step in and save my ass.

Then I read this:

“We must stem the spread of foreclosures and falling home values for all Americans, and do everything we can to help responsible homeowners stay in their homes,” Obama said Tuesday as he signed his tax cut and spending package into law.

Okay, that’s better.  The President wants to help the responsible homeowners.  Wait a second.  How will the government determine who is responsible and who is simply looking for a free ride?  The article says that it is unclear who will qualify for relief.

My only concern is the message this new plan is sending to American tax-payers.  Why do some Americans feel entitled to owning things they can’t afford?

If you came to visit me, I’d show you the big and beautiful homes that are being built in a subdivision near my neighborhood.  These homes are appraised in the $250,000 to $400,000 range.  In flippin’ Wisconsin.  Only doctors, lawyers, and bankers make enough money to afford those mortgages.    I live in a small town of less than 30,000 people, most of which hold jobs in the school district or insurance industry.  Not many can afford the houses they live in.

Stevens Point (and surrounding areas) used to be a thriving paper mill city, but with the economy in the tubes, mill workers are being laid off left and right.  They have been for years.

Wisconsin Rapids, a city twenty-two miles away, was once a boom town, with people living high off the hog and building huge houses.  In the last ten years, thousands of millwrights were given the boot and slowly the city has become a ghost town.  Numerous business have closed their doors, hundreds of homes have gone into foreclosure and people have been forced to move to places where they take the first available job they can find, even if it’s minimum wage.

Working in a title company part-time, I cannot count how many foreclosures I’ve seen.  The number one reason for these is medical bills.  The second highest reason?  People buying houses they knew they can’t afford.  What were they thinking?  Were they praying for a miracle or that they’d win the lottery?  Or were they just waiting for a President who would promise to “help” them pay their mortgages?

The worst is yet to come, says Howard Davidowitz.  Sadly, everything this man says is true.

January 20, 2009

Inauguration Day

Today is a very historic day.  Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States of America.

I cannot describe the emotions I’m experiencing.  In waves of joy and sadness, but mostly joy, I’m watching him speak and I have goosebumps.

I’ve been glued to the television.  I’ve been immersing myself in all the internet coverage.

I didn’t vote for this man, for complicated reasons, but I’m excited about his presidency.  I’ve got so many thoughts and questions swirling around in my head that it’s difficult to get them all out.

I’ll do my best:

• Watching George W. Bush and Barack Obama walking together to their limousine, I felt sad to see George leaving the presidency (many mixed feelings here, I’ll save those for another post) and happiness for Barack because his moment was yet to come.
• The Presidential Motorcade was impressive and I wish I could have witnessed it in person, in Washington D.C.
• When former President Jimmy Carter made his entrance, I felt sort of old.  He was President when I was born in 1979.  I also recalled my father’s disdain for this man and his policies, and my dad was a Democrat in the 70s and early 80s. But aside from that, seeing the military officers salute him, was so touching.  There’s something about our military, the Marines and the code of conduct that pulls at my heart strings.
• I felt a moment of sadness when the former presidents made their way before the National Mall in succession.  Oh, how I wish Ronald Reagan was alive for this inauguration.
• George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush looked just as I remember them.  I remember my father taking me to see him when he made a visit to Stevens Point during his campaign.  I was sad to see the elder George limping.  But alas, we’re all getting older.
• The round of applause for Bill and Hillary Clinton irked me, because later when George W. Bush and Dick Cheney entered, they were not welcomed with the respect they deserved.  It doesn’t matter if you despise George Bush, he earned the respect.  His job wasn’t easy.
• As George made his way down the hall, I cried a bit as he smiled and gave a young woman in red a high five.  This man did the best he could.  He did what he believed was right.  Yes, he made mistakes.  But every president makes mistakes, past, present and future.
• All Hail the Chief made me cry.  Aretha Franklin made me smile.
• Malia and Sasha are so beautiful, and watching them make their way to their seats sent chills down my spine.  They were so smiley and confident and proud of their father.  The happiness in their eyes, the expressions on their faces — I will never forget that moment for as long as I live.  I can’t get over how much Malia looks like Michelle, the same gorgeous eyes and a brilliant smile.  And Sasha, so precious.  Instantly I remembered photos of JFK with Caroline and John, Jr.
• Michelle Obama makes me smile.  I’m so happy to have a First Lady with young children in the White House.  I believe she understands the struggles of women and mothers and will work hard to bring our best interests to the forefront of her husband’s presidency.
• Watching Barack Obama walk down the long corridor, I had tears in my eyes.  And I’m wishing I would have bought that sketch of him when I was in Milwaukee.  There’s something about his face that makes me feel calm.  I can’t explain it.  I don’t know if it’s his eyes, how understanding they seem to be.
• I became very upset when our new president was introduced as Barack H. Obama.  After all the commotion and all the bloggers who demanded acknowledgment of his full name, why was it so imperative to leave out Hussein?  He is Barack Hussein Obama, and there is no reason to fear his name.  Let us stand up and be proud.  Let’s take away the fear.
• President Obama’s speech gave me goosebumps.  But not nearly as much as watching him sing The Star Spangled Banner, with hand over heart.  That made me cry because it was beautiful and proves he is a patriotic man despite what his opponents falsely claimed.
• But even more memorable is that Barack Obama escorted George Bush to the helicopter.  To me that symbolizes the respect that Obama has for our former President, and was happy to show it.  Michelle, Barack, George and Laura standing on the steps is an image I hope I’ll remember for a long time.
• George and Laura boarding the chopper was bittersweet.  And the hugs between the Bushes and the Obamas, and the Bidens and Obamas watching the chopper depart brought tears to my eyes.

I have so much more I want to say, but it’s just do difficult because the emotions are high.  The euphoria of this day is overwhelming, but I’m also feeling skeptical.  So many people have high expectations for President Obama and I just have to say that he’s human.  He’s not a miracle worker.  His job will be complicated, difficult, stressful and 24/7.  He has a very tough job ahead of him.

He’s not Jesus Christ, but with the Lord’s help and guidance, I believe he will do the best job he knows how to do.  He’ll learn the rest as the days and months of the next four years unfold.

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And I must say Happy Anniversary to my husand, lest he thinks I’ve forgotten.  On January 20, 1998 we began dating which means we’ve been together for eleven years.  We started dating when Clinton was President.  Three terms later, we’re still in love.  I heart you, Doug.  Happy Anniversary!

December 3, 2008

Talking Hippos

Leave it to a day with my father to reignite my political fire. I don’t know why I put politics on the back burner for so long.  Wait.  I do remember why, and I’m not going there.  Either way, I’m glad that I’ve returned to the world of politics and news, if only for my own amusement.

I read this article at CNN yesterday and I have to say Campbell Brown makes a good point.  President-elect Obama, you are going to be asked difficult questions.  Please don’t shrug them off or try to down-play any of the media queries.  I’d like to know what changed your mind about Hillary Clinton.  I watched as the two of you bashed each other, and honestly I found it rather sickening.

Then I watched the news and heard you praising Senator Clinton and I knew something was amiss.  It’s like a big, fat hippo was standing in the middle of the room and no one was acknowledging it.

I don’t want to be too hard on you, Mr. Obama, but if you start dodging questions now, this is going to be one long and very annoying presidency.