Beware!

Let the games begin! It looks like Mitt Romney is the presumed GOP nominee and the general election ads are well underway. This is NOT going to be nice or fun. I wish we could just skip this part and vote now. The attack ads from the Super PACs will dominate our airwaves - even if the candidates don't agree with their message. Facts will be far and few and the gullible will be easily duped. This is a dark era in American politics and it worries me a lot.

If my little blog has any impact at all in this very important election, I want to make one point very clear. These attack ads against Obama will focus on what the President has not accomplished - even though his accomplishments are impressive. What we really need to be concerned about is what Mitt Romney WILL accomplish if he becomes President. The GOP has a very specific agenda and that is to get your money. They need this election to finish what they started.

I just got my retirement account balance back after over half of it was stolen in 2008. We can't let that happen again. Protect your money - vote Democratic!

FloriDuhhh

The Tea Party - lead by our newly purchased Governor Rick Scott - marched into Tallahassee with a hatchet pointed at education funding and began swinging. While corrupt corporations started moving into the state - qualified teachers started moving out. Classroom budgets were slashed and classroom sizes began to grow. Now we are starting to see the results of Governor Scott's "leadership". FCAT scores over 4 across the state were only 27% - down from 81% the year prior. That is according to this Miami Herald article.

Having read through the article and some of the associated commentary, I learned that there were several important reasons why the scores dropped so dramatically. The test rules were changed drastically and frequently as well as the way it was graded. Teachers were not given time to prepare for the new rules and communication was lacking across the board. But all of these reasons can be attributed to lack of proper funding in the education system. You get what you pay for.

We have a very important election only months away with two decidedly different directions this country can go in. Let's use Florida as an example of where we shouldn't be going. We need to get these Tea Party extremists out of our government - and fast! Educating our children properly should be a number one priority. The GOP's priority is continued cuts to education. We must say NO! with our vote in November. Not only with the Presidential election but also with all the politicians. Vote Democratic - it's really important!

Tanorexic

I sure wish this picture was in color! LOL

President Obam Is Fully Evolved

I just got an email from President Obama after his historic announcement supporting marriage equality.  Of course the GOP is saying this announcement is a political stunt - but it should be noted that most gay voters were already in support of our President prior to this announcement.  I'm very Proud of President Obama (finally) making a firm statement on marriage equality - and I'm proud to be an American under his leadership.  Here is the message I received:

Friend --

Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer:

I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I hope you'll take a moment to watch the conversation, consider it, and weigh in yourself on behalf of marriage equality:

http://my.barackobama.com/Marriage

I've always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution.

But over the course of several years I've talked to friends and family about this. I've thought about members of my staff in long-term, committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through our efforts to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, I've gotten to know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with honor and distinction.

What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens.

Even at my own dinner table, when I look at Sasha and Malia, who have friends whose parents are same-sex couples, I know it wouldn't dawn on them that their friends' parents should be treated differently.

So I decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.

If you agree, you can stand up with me here.

Thank you,

Barack

The American Way

Bill Maher had a guest on "Real Time" a couple weeks ago who said something that really stuck with me.  I believe the gentleman's name was Charles Murray and unfortunately Bill didn't let him speak long enough because he wasn't going in the direction of Bill's point - but at least I got the message.  Charles said Americans are so focused on the "American Dream" that we have totally forgotten the "American Way".  Historically the American way was a culture of helping others.  If you saw someone with a flat tire - you would stop to help.  We mowed our elderly neighbors yards - for free.  We watched over each others homes and fed their pets on their vacation.  Business consisted of quality products and services at a modest profit.  Honesty and integrity were values cherished by most - including politicians.  Parents were respected and children behaved.  food was real.  A comfortable house and an automobile were affordable - the American Dream was a real possibility with a little hard work.

Then it changed.

Suddenly Americans were focused on wealth.  We want giant houses, huge cars, designer jeans, 5 televisions, the best - the most expensive, and we will do anything to get it.  We don't have time to feed the neighbors pet, and besides we might get sued if something happens.  Grandma can take a taxi to church - I've got things to do.  Mom needs to work to pay for all this "stuff" and the kids grow up unattended and undisciplined - many turning to lives of crime for entertainment.  Animals are abused to maximize profit and jobs are sent overseas where humans are abused for the same reason.  Americans have lost their WAY. 

Because Americans have lost their way - we have also lost the dream.  America needs to change drastically to get them both back.