An Angel of Hope

With all that is grim and depressing, an angel of hope...or change....or hope...or change.... anyway, he has descended from his heavenly mansion to bless the onlookers of a carnival parade in Dusseldorf, Germany. Draped in a robe fashioned after the American flag, and crowned with a glorious halo, he and his over-sized, aerodynamically challenged ears float above the reveling crowd. As he was ascending to his castle in the clouds, he felt a tug on his robe. It was the meek and lowly, blond-haired, Europe. The Angel of Hope knew that the only way Europe would make it into Heaven, was on his coat-tails. Once he heard her plea of "we too!", he allowed her to tag along. We will see if St. Peter will allow little Europe entrance at the pearly gates.

The end is near

Typically the right wing radicals are labeled the "doom-and-gloom" bearers. The apocalyptic arch-angels, trumpeting in Armageddon. The fear-profiteers spewing from all four corners of talk radio, creating panic amongst their loyal worshippers.

Liberal economic darlings, George Soros and Paul Volker join Pat Robertson and Glenn Beck to complete the four horsemen of the apocalypse, their most recent comments revealing their closeted prophesies of our impending doom. The Hungarian bred stallion, Soros, compared our current economic melt-down to the "demise of the Soviet Union", predicting "there's no sign that we are anywhere near a bottom". The recently appointed Chairman of President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, Paul Volker, echoed the sentiments of Soros. His grim summation is staggering, stating "I don't remember any time, maybe even in the Great Depression, when things went down quite so fast, quite so uniformly around the world". The right wing extremists need to move swiftly to ensure their corner of the "end of the world" market is secure.

Enjoy the rest of your day, it may be your last.

Hemorrhoids are painful

Hemorrhoids are dilated or bulging veins of the rectum and anus, caused by increased pressure in the rectal veins. The causes of hemorrhoids include: habitual straining, coughing, sneezing, pregnancy, and prolonged sitting. While watching President Obama's first Presidential Address to Congress, it became apparent that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi suffers like 57% of America with hemorrhoids. She seemed uncomfortable during the long oratory, and took any advantage to stand and relieve her sore seat-warmer. Even the extremely excitable Vice President Joe Biden didn't see the need of standing as many times as Speaker Pelosi.

We have witnessed our representatives suffer from other health ailments during long speeches previously. Both former Vice President Cheney and former President Bill Clinton suffer from narcolepsy, having difficulty remaining awake. Former President George H. W. Bush's battle with bulimia was apparent during a state dinner with Japanese Prime Minister. Nancy Pelosi is not alone. I highly suggest Analpram or the ever popular, Preparation H. And if she starts treatment today, she may survive the State of the Union address in several months.

Pursuit of Happiness

There was an interesting, and lengthy, debate on the Political Moms blog. It was in reference to Glenn Beck's 9 Principles, and his "We Surround Them" campaign. I will not go into it at length, or give my specific opinions on each. Instead, reading through the comments to her post, sparked some thoughts I wanted to share, which I'm not sure completely related to their discussion. So I will lay it out for you fine ladies (and gents, I know there are several of you out there!)

One principle in particular, brought on a heated discussion. It is #6 "I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results." I completely, undeniably, absolutely agree with this concept. To some, this may sound heartless, uncharitable, and arrogant. I have to admit, I was one of those arrogant college graduates who truly believed that those who were poor were just lazy. I would never be one of those, because my husband and I worked too hard, studied too long, put in our dues, and would because of that, be guaranteed the rich results. The reality of my arrogance and ignorance was harsh and excruciatingly humbling. We struggled finding any job upon graduation, struggled making ends meet while working two to three jobs each, had zero luxuries, experienced several lay-offs and months of unemployment. And it took almost four years of near-poverty for me to learn several invaluable lessons.

One, hard work does not guarantee monetary wealth. The founders did not guarantee monetary stability. Instead, they believed the government should ensure the opportunity to pursue happiness. Why does this often translate to money? I know more miserable rich people than I do unhappy poor people. We have the inalienable right to pursue happiness. I had to find happiness in poverty. And it took a very long time for this to sink in. My bank account or size of my home does not define me. I am proud of what little we have, because we have worked extremely hard for everything. Which leads me to my next lesson.

Pride of Ownership. We live in an older, smaller home, in a neighborhood someone unaware of where we lived, pointed out to my husband that neighborhood was in the "ghetto". Which might be true in our relatively wealthy community, anywhere else it is average. We worked extremely hard to buy this home, and worked twice as hard to keep it while unemployed. Through this refining process, I learned to take pride in what I own. I love our home, in all it's imperfections and simpleness. We consider ourselves truly happy. Which makes it all the more difficult knowing those who live in Section 8 housing, and desperately want a home, yet take no pride in what they already have. Or even our neighbors who trash their homes and yards, yet would love to live in a new home. Or even worse, those who live in extremely nice homes and neighborhoods, but are eternally looking for something bigger and better. If you took pride in what you already have, kept it clean and made it the best it could be, you would find your happiness.

What you don't work for, holds no value. We have experienced almost all that the government has to offer. Health care, food, student grants, unemployment benefits, etc. We figured, might as well take advantage of it, if it is available. Life was a whole lot easier, yet less gratifying. All of our needs were met, yet we didn't fully appreciate them. This is when I realized that they held little value, because we did not earn them. When we were laid off this last time, and all of those same hand-outs were made available, we decided not to apply. They were no longer appealing. I found more value in having less and working hard for it, than being comfortable in what was freely given to me.

This is an extremely edited and compiled list of years of emotions and struggles and hard lessons finally learned. I am not sure what sparked this post from the other discussion, but I have found it cathartic to put into words. All too often, those of us who espouse conservative values, who believe in capitalism, are painted as greedy, Rush-ites, who want to push others down only to lift ourselves up. I can only speak for myself and family, when I say, it is unequivocally not true. And one painful lesson I have learned is, there are no guarantees in life.

I feel stimulated!

Thank goodness the federal government acted swiftly, I needed some sort of stimulant. While watching Good Morning America this morning, I was given the great news of how this stimulus package will impact me, the every-day-stay-at-home-average-mom. $13 a week. My heart skipped a beat, my palms began to sweat, and I jumped for joy! You mean that the government has been able to set aside $400 a year per tax payer who makes less than $75,000 from the $787 billion stimulus? What will we do with all that money?!? I think I will invest it.

What kind of stimulus is that? Out of $787 billion the government decides to trust the tax-payers who will foot this bill with $13 a week!??!? Is this the "tax cut for 95% of Americans" President Obama hammered into us on the campaign trail?


Speaking of campaign trail, President Obama is back on the campaign trail. Is it for 2012? Or is it for his approval rating? Within the past month and a half, he has travelled to Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, Florida and Colorado. He has finally agreed to Sen. McCain's town hall style meetings, which have proved perfect for comic relief, referring to the over-excited McDonald's worker who wants full-time benefits although he is working part-time. I'm just curious why at this time, when we need to cut wasteful spending, scale back on luxuries, our CEO and Chief, President Obama is jet setting the country doing meetings eerily familiar to the last and never-ending 2 years of campaigning. Congress grilled the automotive CEO's for flying in their private jets while suffering from crippling debt. Our government is $11 trillion in debt to us, and our CEO is still using the private jet for unnecessary travelling. Is this a double standard?


You've heard the advice, find what you do well and keep doing it. I think this is a little overkill. Sure, President Obama ran a brilliant campaign, knows how to energize an audience, but if his first 100 days are foreshadowing the next 4 years, my head will explode. Why is he signing this mandatory legislation which will prevent our country from slipping into the 13th circle of hell in front of a cheering crowd? Is this transparency he was talking about? I would have hoped that the transparency was knowing what our government is doing with our money, and holding them responsible. But it is hard to hold our representatives responsible for legislation they weren't given time to read! I was hopeful for President Obama to deliver on this new era of politics, but so far, I have been extremely disappointed. It just appears to be more of the same.

p.s. My apologies for the long absence, we've experienced a lot of sickness the past few weeks. Now things are almost back to normal, and I feel I can concentrate some!

Pork for Hollywood?

The Hills are typically filled with vegetarians, vegans, crash dieters, to name a few. But many in Hollywood land were salivating for some bacon. Hollywood producers needed some pork to stimulate their creative juices. Although the House of Representatives was ready and willing to shave off some pork to satisfy their hunger for hand outs, the Senate squashed the $246 million provision dedicated to give Hollywood producers a 'necessary' tax break to buy a motion picture film. Is their any connection to the current administration and the Hollywood elite? My memory is fuzzy, but I do remember huge Hollywood fundraisers, Funnyordie website campaigning for President Obama, star-packed campaign stops, etc. Was this a large 'Thank you' for the fawning praise and never ending support of Hollywood elite from the now President? Possibly, they definitely scratched his back.

Other wasteful measures in the bill that are now being reviewed, and as you read over these, ask yourself is this really going to stimulate the economy or is this just a big government wish list?

• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings: $6 billion???
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs: My summer camp never cost $1.2 billion!
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service: How does this stimulate the economy in Oklahoma?
• $850 million for Amtrak: Was this an add in from the Amtrak Darling, Mr. Vice President?

As you really comb through where the money is actually going, it looks like Congress and the President was writing a letter to Santa Claus, a 647 page list of what they really, really, really, want! (While stamping their feet, crossing their arms, and pouting their lower lip.) Billions of dollars are packaged as large presents to the country, ways to help us lowly citizens make it from month to month. But as you pull off the neatly packaged and wrapped box, you will find a giant lump of coal. There are some needed measures that should be approved regarding education, health care, unemployment, and tax relief. But they are bubble wrapped in pork, such as a pay out to the Hollywood producers. The more I learn about this "stimulus package", the more I feel like Cindy-Lu Who, who watched the Grinch steal Christmas.

Watch out for the IRS

I was watching Good Morning America this morning, and they had their financial advisor on, advising us on how to avoid being audited by the IRS. I only remember a few of her tips, such as if you do have a large medical expense be sure to attach the bill. One of her red flags that signals the IRS you might be "suspect" caught me off guard. It was regarding charitable donations. She said the typical American gives 2% of their overall income to charity. She then said, "So if you claim to have donated let's say, 10%, that will be a red flag to the IRS. You will most definitely need paperwork to back up such a large donation." My next thought was, most Mormons or other devotely religious people will be considered "suspect". Our tithing is 10%, and some donate more through Humanitarian Aid or Perpetual Education Fund. I guess no good deed goes unpunished! Is this funny to anyone else?

It's about FLAT flippin' time!

If the "best" and the "brightest" men in our country are making "honest mistakes" in paying taxes, having difficulty understanding the in's and out's (or loopholes) within the tax code, where is the hope for the rest of us living in the land of mediocrity? Already, two of President Obama's cabinet have been found avading their tax responsibilities, the latest being Tom Daschle owing $128,000. What I find interesting, here are two easy targets for Republican's to throw into the fire. Yet, they approved Timothy Geithner's nomination, and Tom Daschle is still up in the air. There has been little scolding from the typically ready Republican's to throw the first stone. Is it because none of them are without this sin? My answer sadly, is a definite yes.

It is about flippin' time (pardon the Mormon slang) that we institute the flat tax. Obviously, it is far too complicated to pay your taxes in full, so let's make it easy. Personal taxes will make up 16% of your income. (Figure pulled out of the air.) Cut all of the loopholes, forget refunds, unless hell freezes over and the government has a surplus. Government will get smaller, eliminating the lovely IRS, except they will still have plenty of work investigating corporate and business taxes. I am confident I would have two supporters of instituting the flat tax, Timothy Geithner and Tom Daschle.

It's her body right?

How many of us moms are sick of hearing about the woman in Florida who had octuplets, on top of her six children who are 7 years old, 6 years old, 5 years old, 3 years old, and twin 2 year olds? I know I am. So much coverage, even before the identity of the mother was released. And now that she has a name and a story attached, she is going through a similar vetting process that other famous (or infamous) mom's go through, the Hillary's and Sarah's of the media. The financial situation not just of her, but of her parents. Her educational and work backgrounds. And even her mental stability. What is all the fuss about?

The argument has been made ever since Roe v. Wade, and even before, that it is the woman's choice. It is her body, therefore she has sole creative, and destructive power over the contents therein. Even the man and his swimmers have been taken out of the equation, apparently as is the case of this woman. If a woman has the sole destructive power to eliminate as many pregnancies as she wants, like it is a form of birth control; then why question a woman who decides to create over a dozen lives? Sure, she has forced her parents into bankruptcy to help take care of her growing family. Sure, she is unemployed and considers herself a 'professional student'. Sure, even her own mother threw her under the bus in a recent interview saying she is 'obsessed with having children'. But it is her right? Right!?!?

This brings up an underlying personal belief that just because you have the right to do something, doesn't mean you should. For example, just because you have a $5000 credit limit on several credit cards, doesn't mean you should max them out. Or just because the bank will offer you a 100% loan for an interest only mortgage for a home you can not afford, does not mean you should sign on the dotted line. Our country has run away with their liberties, to the point that our strengths are becoming our downfalls. Our free-market is imploding. Our social liberties are granting radicals on either sides free passes. It is not the government's responsibility to right this wrong. Nor the schools. Not even Oprah in all her glory can save us from ourselves. I believe the root of the problem is the deterioration of families and the teaching of personal responsibility. As moms, we have the ability to mold the next generation. It is our responsibility to do our part with our small units of the family to teach them what is right, and hopefully our kids won't repeat our same bad mistakes. And as for the new mom of 14, good luck.