Welcome Christmas!!

The fun part is that this year we have little kids to buy for again. Although, I shouldn't say "buy for" because this year I am making many of my gifts. It has been a long time since I have done that, but for some reason this year I came up with a bunch of new ideas and had to do them. Making things really makes me feel the holiday spirit to a greater degree. Of course, I am not making everything, but I am being much simpler this year, and I hope it will help me to really focus on what is important about this Christmas Season. I hope that I can impart of that feeling to my new grandchildren and to all of my own children and family as well. I am not sure how we are going to do the decorations this year since Kyle and Shyanne are pretty much into everything and don't like to take no for an answer, but hopefully they will learn and we can all enjoy the fun and traditions and time together. I am so looking forward to having all of my children at home along with my new daughters-in-law and of course Kyle and Shyanne. Sounds like family picture time to me!!

I Can Blog on Here Without Giving Offense Because this is My Blog!

Okay, I haven't blogged for a long time, but I have so many things to say about things I have been reading on facebook and things I have been seeing at work that I need to get it all out.

It is killing me to see how socialism is no longer just creeping into our society, but it is blatantly being forced into it like it is the thing to do. Not only do people feel it is fine to shirk personal responsibility, we are encouraged to do so. People take pride in being on the government dole system. The government runs ads explaining how easy it is to get on it and telling people that they may qualify even if they think they make enough money and don't need it.

The government thinks it is okay to make rules about every aspect of our lives, such as being able to grow our own vegetables and share them with our friends. Remember during WWII when home gardens were encouraged? Remember during the Great Depression when people raised chickens and sold eggs to make money to pay their rent? Remember when independence and self-reliance was celebrated and encouraged?

Did you know that now in schools, teachers have to be teaching the same subject from the same book at the same time of day for the same amount of time? It doesn't matter that one particular class is having trouble understanding a certain subject, they all need to stay on schedule. But wait, we need to have highly qualified teachers who differentiate for their students who may have different needs, but there will be no differentiation between different classrooms. And hold on, the teacher needs to administer assessments constantly to see how the students are doing, this is time consuming, but the aide can run the class. Then what is the need of having the highly qualified teacher if she never gets to teach? Hmmm, quite the contradiction. And be careful because if the students don't get high enough scores with this method, the teacher will lose her job. It must be her fault, right?

Did you hear our dear President, Mr. Obama, complaining that the "other side" (that is his way of reaching across the aisle) is using special interest money to pay for their campaigns. I guess the money from the unions and community organizer groups don't count as special interests. He is such a hypocrite and self absorbed jerk. He and his cohorts talk about spreading the wealth. What he means is "give me your money and I will be in charge of it because I know better than you what to do with it." He reminds me of Ana-kin Skywalker and also, Satan who was going to force us all to be happy, give us no freedom and make us worship him.

I know that our country isn't perfect, but it is not because we don't have a righteous system in place, it is because those in charge right now are unrighteous for the most part. Many of those guys in Washington are just plain stupid. Have you ever listened to them on Cspan? It is eye opening. We live in a country where we should be and have been in the past the most free people on earth with endless opportunities to work and grow through our own ingenuity. One by one and three by three, those freedoms are being striped away from us under this regime. The other day I was reading in Alma in the Book of Mormon about the stupid Kingmen who thought that somehow they were better than everyone else and that the Nephites should have a king. I wondered, why, when they were living prosperously in a free society would they want to subject themselves to a king? The answer is simple, they thought that THEY would be in charge and have all of the advantages over everyone else. As I read I realized the correlation between these men and what is going on in America today. I wish we had a Captain Moroni to ride out waving the Title of Liberty so that I could run out and rally to his call and help to save our country and our freedom for our families, and our religion.

What a summer!

2010, the summer of two weddings! First, on June 12th, the wonderful wedding of Tyler to Jessica. Then, on August 7th, the marvelous marriage of Aaron to Korina. I just want to say that I am so happy with the choices that my sons made because they both have wonderful women as wives who are perfect for them. It goes to show that if you go to the right places, (church activities and classes), you will find the right people. The bonus is that I am now an instant grandmother, so Glen and I have sort of made up for lost time.

The pictures posted out of order. Aaron and Korina are at the top, followed by the grand children, and then Tyler and Jessica.

Arizona and Illegal aliens

I am so tired of the hype over Arizona's newly passed law that will enforce immigration law. Everyone immediately began complaining about it before they even read it. Then came the cry from California and other states to boycott us. But, oh guess what, it turns out that California's law towards immigration is much more discriminatory and strict than Arizona's! Of course, that doesn't mean that those in authority and sworn to uphold the law will do just that. Take the director of ICE for example who now says that he will not review any cases from AZ because of the law. Well thank you sir for effectually opening our borders to more terror, kidnapping and murder while you sit so self-righteously in your office in DC unaware of the troubles facing our state. You can join your President and his democratic cohorts in applauding the Mexican President as he hypocritically derides our state, a part of your country rather than insisting that he do something to improve life in Mexico so that his people are not so desperate. You are all a bunch of Benedict Arnolds. You are all so concerned about the illegals, then why aren't you concerned about the ones who are dying in the backs of trucks and who are made slaves in houses in the desert, piled in like animals. Stemming illegal immigration will help them as well.
I am also tired of the argument that these people are doing jobs that Americans won't do. Talk about stereotyping and profiling! As a teenager, I worked picking figs and picking grapes. Do you realize that the largest jobless rate in our country is among teens to age 25? Many landscaping companies and construction type jobs, hotel jobs and all of the other ones where irresponsible employers are hiring illegals and paying them under the table without benefits are making difficult for companies who hire the right way to compete. I believe that supporting illegal immigration is a slap in the face to those who have come here legally and done things the way the laws are set up. If I were a legal immigrant, I would be up in arms about my new country who doesn't apply the same standards for all.

Deficit Relief?

Well, if you ever look at my facebook, about a week ago I posted on my wall about an article I read in the Wall Street Journal. It was written by David Luskin who is high up in a well known investment firm/financial planning. I can't remember the name of the firm now. Anyway, in the article he talked about how the Bush tax cuts, which are running out in 2010 have a provision that in 2010 IRAs over 100,000 dollars, can be converted to Roth IRAs without penalty. The rich people who have these IRAs are going to want to convert them because, after 2010, their taxes are going to go up tremendously. So, in 2010, they will change them over and pay the 35% tax rather than the higher tax that will be imposed in the future, as well as the penalty. So, this firm figures if only 10% of the people holding these IRAs take advantage of this, that will shoot billions of dollars in to the federal budget. In speaking with their customers, they are sure that the percentage will be much higher than 10%. They have also spoken with the CBO who have only recently began to investigate the possibilities of this happening.

Question---Who do you think will want to take credit for this sudden surge of revenue???? Hint, I am writing this in blue. Those opposed to the Bush tax credits are not going to want to admit that giving the rich a break can do good for the economy.

Now, here is the answer to the question---make sure that in November we elect fiscal conservatives who will not waste this boon, but will wisely put it towards our national debt and start helping our country to live within its means!!!

As a sidelight, I am guessing that the states will also receive a generous portion of revenue next year as well.

Of course, Mr Luskin wrote about all of this better than I am able to, so look it up in the Journal. I believe it was last Thursday's issue.

Bad Vocabulary

I have been wanting to post this for a few days. I teach at an elementary school. If I were to say to a student the "F" word, I would lose my job. But, apparently it is okay for the Vice President of the United States to use that kind of language during a historical moment in front of an eleven year old child who was present and the nation. What a great example of intelligence and self control. Of course, the media people all think it is so funny and I haven't heard of any apologies, although I emailed him and asked for one. He hasn't responded.

Health Care--Here is the scoop as I see it.

The health care bill has passed, in spite of the majority of America being against it and in spite of my letters, emails and prayers to the contrary. There are some of you out there who can't understand why I would be against this bill. Don't I want to help the poor and the needy as the Savior would have me do? Of course I do, but I want it done in the right way and I do not want to be forced to do it. If I am coerced into serving others, then it isn't service.

Here is the truth in a nutshell, before I get down to giving examples of why this health care plan is wrong...This plan is counterfeit. There will not be a government plan in which we can care for those in need without corruption until the Savior comes again.

Okay, so lets begin, shall we? First of all, this bill is going to bankrupt our country. It will bankrupt states, then it will bankrupt the country. Hawaii's universal health care program has gone broke. It has lost money for the last 8 years. Massachusettes' health care plan is also going broke. Congress has already spent Social Security money for other things besides Social Security, do you really think the money we start paying in higher taxes now is going to be there in 2014? Let's not forget all of the special fixes that the house added to this reconciliation package in order to secure votes. The President recently said that we need to cut back some of the funding to Nasa, but guess what! Florida Rep Suzanne Kosmas, whose district is home to the Kennedy Space Center mentioned to the Pres. when she met with him about health care that Nasa needed funding. She changed her vote on Friday. $100 million in extra Medicaid money for Tennessee helped flip Bart Gordon's vote. On Saturday, 17 states cut a deal to get additional Medicare money. As I see it, this is the problem with Democrats. They think they have money to spend left and right however they want. They have these grand ideals, but no practicality. Do you see why the CBO findings really mean nothing because they could not have known how much more money was going to be added to the mix in order to get the votes. No one has said where this money is going to come from, (besides taxpayer pockets!) The reconciliation package was supposed to do away with these special earmarks that were making everyone angry. They may have gotten rid of the Senate ones, but they added more of their own.

By the way, did you hear about the Canandian Prime Minister who came here to Florida to get heart surgery? He said that when he entered political life, he didn't give up the right to make his own decisions about health care. He didn't want to jump ahead of the line to get treatment in Canada just because he was the Prime Minister. Also, the treatment he got here was not available in Canada. What does this tell us? 1-He felt the need to make his own choices about health care, which he does not have in his own country. 2-There are lines and waiting lists in Canada. 3-We have better health care with newer, cutting edge procedures. I wonder how long that last item will last when this new health care reform takes place.

There are some who believe that it is Mr. Obama's plan to bankrupt the country and to gain more control so that he can actually change the constitution and keep himself in charge of our newly socialist or if you will , faciest country. He talks about leveling the playing field and spreading the wealth. Unfortunately, he doesn't want to bring everyone to a higher plain, he wants to keep everyone down on a lower one beneath him and his cohorts. Let me give you some examples:
A couple works for years and has enough money that they do not use health insurance or medicare. They use their own money and pay their own bills. Wow! They should be applauded for their self-sufficiency, hard work and integrity. But, instead under this new bill, they will be forced to have insurance or medicare or pay a fine. They need to be dependent on the system like everyone else.
Or, consider the middle-class poor. In most states, there is already a program for the poor and indigent to get free health care, food stamps and even housing, free of charge. But, there are those who make too much to qualify for these things, yet do not buy health care because they cannot afford it. Under this new bill, this will not be fixed. These people will still not qualify for free health care, even though they are living paycheck to paycheck. Because they have a paycheck, they will have to pay for health care anyway or pay a fine. I personally know a school teacher in this predicament. She has 3 sons, she cannot put them on her health insurance because it would be too expensive, so she just hopes that they don't get sick. Now, you may think this is fool hardy and that you would find a way to put them on no matter what, but this is her choice and the way that she has to deal with her life. Now, that choice is being taken away from her and she is being pushed to a lower standard of living because of it.

The Constitution of the United States does not grant the Federal Government the power to force American Citizens to buy anything. There is nothing in there about providing people with health care. The 10th amendment specifically says that any powers not granted to the Federal Government shall fall under the jurisdiction of the States. Therefore, this bill is unconstitutional. I have heard that as many as 30 states are considering enacting laws that exclude them from participating in this Federal System. Also, atleast 13 state attorney generals are bringing suit against this law.

Now, here are some personal notes from what I believe and the comfort I can take because of my beliefs. I believe that the more we allow the government to get into our pockets and do things for us that we can do for ourselves, we are giving up our freedoms. That is why I do not believe in living on a government dole system. I know that sometimes people have no alternative and I do not begrudge them the help when they really need it and not because they know how to work "the system". But, throughout my life, we have strived not to live on the dole. I know that this has been taught by the prophets of our church for many years.
Also, I believe that the Constitution is an inspired document and that we have religious freedom here in this land for a purpose. That purpose is so that God's purposes may come to pass. So, my hope is in Him and in knowing that His purposes will come to pass and I have to make sure that I am on His side. Separation of Church and State? I do not want religion taught in school because I don't want anyone to force their religion on my children, nor would I force mine on anyone elses. But when it comes how I personnally decide how to vote or what to support, my religious beliefs play a large role in my decisions.
In the Book of Mormon, there is a passage that talks about the fact that when the people in this land are righteous, they will make good choices as to their leaders and we will have righteous leaders. But, when the more part or the people become wicked, the leaders will be wicked. I believe that we have about reached that point. I think that there a few politicians up there who are good and have integrity, but very few. I am talking about both sides of the aisle. Our decisions about who to vote for must be made prayerfully and in a very informed way. Watch C-
Span and see for yourself the workings of our government without commentary. You will see who is intelligent and who is inarticulate, rude and downright stupid and you will wonder how they ever got elected. Listen to the speeches that are made and you will be able to decide for yourself who is correct. You will get frustrated, as I have at how these politicians make up their minds in a partisan way and vote that way no matter how much sense the other side may make. They don't even listen to one another. They talk to each other and leave the room and then come back and vote. It is nothing like Mr. Smith goes to Washington. I wish it were.

Happy New Year! 2010.....

It has been forever since I have blogged, so I hardly know where to begin.
It has been a peaceful and nice holiday season. All of our kids were here for Christmas. The Lord's blessings in our lives are so apparent that I feel unworthy to have all that I have. Gratitude is a virtue that I feel on a daily basis. I can't even begin to enumerate all of my blessings.
On the Sunday before Christmas, a sister in our ward at church gave a talk that touched me in a deep way. She shared a story of a family that had been experiencing hard times. One older brother was working away from home and had been sending home his earnings to help his family. On Christmas morning, when everyone was together and opening the few meager gifts that they had managed for one another, the father of the family sat thumbing through an old Scout journal that he had received. Then he called his family to listen to what this gift was that he had received. He said that it was probably the best gift he had ever received. It was from the older son who told him that he didn't have anything else to give him that year except this journal. On each page there was a "gt" in the cornor, which stood for "good turn." On each day of the journal, the "gt" had been crossed out to represent the good turn this son had done each day of that passed year. What a beautiful gift it would be for any parent to know that their child was living their life with the intent to give service each day and that they had been successful at it. Since that day, I have tried to be aware of intentionally doing at least one good turn each day. Hopefully I will do more that one, and that has already at times been the case. But, I want to be intentional about my service and not accidental and not just coincidental and not just when it is convenient, because real service many times is inconvenient. This awareness has already made a change in my heart and in my relationship to my Savior. I'll let you know how the year goes.