The Toxicity of Politics...

I remember when I was 18 years old. I proudly went and registered to vote. I grew up in an atmosphere where politics were very important. Both my Mom and my Grandpa stated often that if you didn't vote, you didn't have the right to bitch about what goes on. It was also impressed upon me that this was a very important right granted to me by my Country, the U.S. of A. The greatest country on this earth.

And at our family gatherings, there would ALWAYS be political arguments. It just would not be a family gathering without one. And I listened. When I registered, I paid attention. My first Presidential election was for Clinton's first term...and his running mate was Al Gore, which equals TIPPER, and the PMRC. However, I listened still. Clinton went out of his way to attract the people in my age group. MTV's Rock the Vote was in full swing. Since then, I have voted in 6 more Presidential campaigns...and all the races for Congress and state legislature. But never have I seen the toxicity that I have seen lately. And it's a sad state for our country that is so divided. And the people that are going to be hurt by all this the United States as a country, and her citizens.

How can Congress do their jobs and represent their constituents when Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, OPENLY stated that their GOAL WAS TO GET THE PRESIDENT OUT OF OFFICE! If there is even an inkling that Obama agrees with something, they run to the other side to stop him. So now Obama is being blamed for the economy - which started under GW...I know that Obama has some responsibility. But the TARP he got slammed with? It was started under Bush, and that was the bailout for the banks. If he didn't pass the bailout for the automobile companies, there would be 3 million MORE people out of work. The President of the United States CANNOT push a bill through Congress. A Congressperson has to sponsor it. SO when Congress refuses to put a bill through that would benefit the American people, it is blamed on him and not where it should be blamed. In fact, even Congress blames him for not putting forth a bill, when he legally cannot, due to our separation of powers.

Poor Obama cannot even go out of town without being criticized. Never mind that George Bush spent 3 FULL months at his ranch every year, and that the Secret Service had to aggressively protect the perimeter. How many Secret Service had to go out with him while he went horseback riding? In fact, Bush took around twice the time in vacations that Obama did at the same point in their term. And how about our Congress? The actual body in our government that PASSES BILLS. They've worked 160 days this year. Wouldn't you like to have that schedule? The poor man can't sneeze without someone saying something. If he's not wearing his wedding ring because it's being fixed, it makes the headlines. And heaven forbid he should wear casual clothing! Apparently GW in a cowboy hat and boots was considered formal wear. He is not being criticized on his foreign policy, the economy, or actions he does as the President. He gets slammed for personal reasons too. Is that all the people in this country can do? What's worse is that people are also slamming anyone that voted for him in 2008 - which includes me, I might add.

I can't understand why you would NOT want your President to succeed. His success means that it is also OUR success. If he does something to create jobs, that means that people can have a house over their heads, food on the table, bills paid, needs met. If he gets health care through, then that means my friend who has had a kidney transplant (note: pre-existing conditions and/or renal failure) can get help with her insurance, medical bills and medicine in regards to that transplant...SUCCESS!

Yes, I voted for him in 2008, yes, I will vote for him in 2012. And yes, I am an intelligent, well informed person who looks at the facts. And no, I do not think that Obama has done a perfect job. I think he needed to get a backbone, frankly. And no, I do not vote straight Democratic. I voted for Governor Crist, a Republican because I thought he was the best candidate for that office.

It is clear that the Tea Party Candidates took over in 2010. They all ran on a jobs platform. And none of them have created a job. Instead they've been busy passing bills that declare that "In God We Trust" is our National motto and banned Sharia Law - which is the moral and religious law of Islam. How Sharia Law could be allowed in the United States is confusing. Don't we have our own laws and Constitution?? And then there were the state Republicans that passed anti-abortion bills. The only way they can get those laws through is to take it to the Supreme Court.

And look what's going on with the GOP debates! Is it really necessary to boo a homosexual soldier? THIS MAN PUT HIS ASS ON THE LINE TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS...THE SAME FREEDOM THOSE PEOPLE HAD TO BOO HIM!

And then there was the time that there was a hypothetical question about a man dying who had no health insurance and what should be done. What did the audience say? LET HIM DIE!! You know what, I'm sure they would all let their relatives die if they were put in that situation. HELL NO! They'd be doing everything in their power, including getting government assistance to save their loved ones.

And finally, the cheering on the death penalty. I'm pro-death penalty, but I believe that there has to be NO DOUBT that the person being put to death is indeed guilty. If there is even a hint that he/she may be innocent, there should be another court hearing until it is determined, and if not, it should be commuted. You cannot take back the punishment after it is committed.

But cheering? If someone is being put to death, then he/she committed a severe crime that left victims and broken families. And the guilty person also has family. They are going to grieve too. There is nothing to cheer about when you put someone to death. It's a tragic end to a horribly tragic crime.

And this is what the right-wing Christians feel? That's not how I was raised. I'm confounded by it, frankly. And at the most, I find it frightening. I strongly believe in not judging people. And yet that is not only what they are doing, but they're putting blood on their hands for wanting a dying man to not have health insurance, cheering at the death of another human being that is leaving behind many victims, and thumbing their nose at homosexual soldiers that can't get any respect for protecting their country because of the way they live.

So, here's what I stand on issues.

-I PERSONALLY would not get an abortion, however, it is the decision of the woman. They don't want to ban it on basis of health, but of religion. There is a separation of state and church for a reason.

-I believe that homosexuality is NOT a choice. Why? Simple: why would someone want to put himself or herself through the prejudice and violence of being homosexual.

-I believe that homosexuals should be awarded the VERY SAME RIGHTS that we have. And no, they do not have those rights.

-I believe in the right to worship however you please, unless it breaks the law. If you are Muslim, you should be able to build a community center, no matter how close to "Ground Zero". Did you ever stop to think that it wasn't just NYC that was attacked BUT THE WHOLE COUNTRY? I also believe that we shouldn't push Christianity on people of other religions - or no religion. Instead of prayer time in school, why not a quiet time where each child could do what they believe in?

-And I believe that all of the above are MORAL issues, not something the government should involve themselves in. However, the Republicans think it's okay to regulate our bodies, and our rights regarding these things, but no regulation anywhere else? Hypocritical, if you ask me.

I want a President who can help with jobs, housing, feeding and clothing the poor and hungry. I want more help for the veterans who come back to war with PTSD. I want a President who will put an emphasis on education, not cut it. You know, there was a time when Americans had aspirations, imagination, and innovation. We're the country that came up with the car, the airplane, and Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Now teachers are so overworked and underpaid that our children, OUR FUTURE are getting the short stick on that. I don't want to see Planned Parenthood banned...they help women make the most important decision in their lives, encourage protection, and perform breast exams and pelvic exams for women who can't afford it. Planned Parenthood does have government funding, but federal funds DO NOT GO TOWARD ABORTIONS. We have decided, as a country to stop funding on important support services for those that need them. As long as tax dollars don't go to funding any supportive services for the homeless, for people in danger of losing their homes, then who the hell cares? And we are suffering as a result.

What I would like to see again? People who care about other people. People who treat each other with respect - and that includes decisions. Just agree to disagree. We used to be that country. We aren't any longer. And frankly, I find that very sad and pathetic. I pray that this country can come together in some way.

And yes, I know that I just added to the toxicity. But you can only take so much before having to do something. I vent. I yell at the TV, complain to my Mom, lecture the cats, whatever. And now I have this wonderful blog to vent some more.

And remember...agree to disagree! This is just my opinion. I DO NOT want to debate my beliefs. You can read them up above, and I'm stubborn and feel strongly, so I decided NOT to include a comment section on this.

Christmas Past and Present.

Christmas Time Again

Well, it's Christmas season again. Christmas has always been a magical time for me. It was Jesus' birthday, and we always decorated the day after Thanksgiving. Mom loves Christmas lights...so every year we went all out. I would get up in the middle of the night, turn on the lights, and sing Christmas Carols. That was pure magic to me. Then there was our family gatherings. I have so many good memories from our family parties.

For awhile, it was at my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Bill's house. When they moved, my Mom took it over. I remember the year that I got The Chipmunks Christmas album and played it one year. It took a couple hours, but my Grandpa finally noticed it. Needless to say, I had to turn it off. My Grandpa was a character. He gave me cash one year, and Duran Duran was my favorite band and he wrote on the envelope "If you buy Durant Durant, you'll be whacked, whacked." That was my Grandpa in a nutshell. My Uncle always got us the cool presents...the ones that our parents didn't want us to have because, really, who needs a baby doll that needs to be fed and diapered? And then there was the PUNCH!! Southern Comfort punch to be exact. There would be the "kiddie" punch, and the adult punch. It didn't take long for the adults to take part in that southern comfort and we'd be able to taste some. Later on, Mom let me have one or two glasses of it, since I wasn't going anywhere. Guess that was easier than having to keep an eye on me the whole night. And I remember making Christmas cookies from scratch. It would take forever, but I loved the decorating. Towards the end of our family gatherings, we had to be extra careful with making sure they were put away because our cat PJ would steal cookies and hoard them in Mom's room. We discovered he did that in March when he brought one out.

Christmas mornings were magical too. My sister found out early that was no Santa Claus, but she was a good sport and let me keep on believing. Even one time, Santa left a package in the driveway for me! Later on, it was explained to me that Mom and her friend Barb had kept the presents at her apartment, and Mom had dropped one in her inebriated Southern Comfort state. Mom latch-hooked us HUGE stockings, and she would fill it with nuts, candy, and small presents. Heck, they could probably hold a piano. One year Mom forgot to fill them, and we had to go into our room until she could call one of Santa's elves to take care of it (yes, I fell for it). And we always had plenty of stuff and cool presents. Looking back on that now, I know what a sacrifice my Mom made to make sure we got all that we did, and I will always be thankful to God that I got her as a Mom. Grandpa wouldn't even give her her Christmas cash until after Christmas morning because he knew that she would take it and spend it on us.

And of course, being outside Chicago, there were plenty of wintry weather. One year, it was 27 below zero and the pipes in the kitchen had frozen. All dishes had to be washed in the bathtub. I loved making snow angels and snowmen. I would stay out all day in the snow, and remember my Mom putting our mittens, hats, and scarfs over the heat vents. Great memories.

We stopped decorating a couple of years ago, mainly because we have so much stuff to put up, that it would be time to take it down when we got done. I still love going out and looking at parks that decorate up the wazoo. Places like Silver Springs. At home, it was always Cosley Zoo. It's like walking in a magical world. The magic of Christmas still remains inside of me, and it always will.

So what's my problem with it? The commercial part of Christmas. Have we, as a society, lost the real reason for Christmas (and I'm not just talking about the religious part of it) that we really are this way. Nothing drives me up the wall more than Christmas commercials. There's one out now with "The Twelve Days of Christmas" where a teenage girl carries on a verse about how horrible her presents were last year and that they should just stick with her list! Have our children become so bratty? I hate how it has come to represent. Stores opening at midnight on Thanksgiving and ruining the holiday for their employees? And the dealbusters. What has society come to when a woman uses pepper spray at a Wal-Mart so she can get what she wanted? And that wasn't the only Wal-Mart that had violence reported. It makes me sick. How about going to a store and picking up a present to donate to Toys For Tots for a child that isn't going to have any presents because their families don't have money to celebrate. Volunteering at a soup kitchen, or helping a food pantry?

Society needs to teach our children that it is better to give than to receive! Christmas is supposed to be about generosity, giving, loving, helping people. Instead we have greed, violence, and hatred.

We don't have much money, but this year we're going to buy something for a pre-teen child and donate it to Toys For Tots. Last year I donated a bunch of blankets I crocheted to a nursing home that had a lot of elderly patients with no family. We can't do much, but we try to do something.

For me, that is what Christmas is - and what it will always be. I just hope that there is enough people who think like me around to make sure there will always be people who believe in the true spirit of Christmas. After all, it IS Jesus' birthday, and what better way could we honor Him than by giving in the true spirit?