Enough Already!: September 2009

Immigration - Crime

If you read my last post, you know that I am both ready to deport illegal immigrants yet also ready to welcome legal immigrants. I want those that want to be in this country to have the opportunity to do so. I just think they should do so through the proper channels. There is so much talk these days about "illegal immigrants," that we have completely accepted the term. No one even seems to notice the word "illegal."

Immigration - Jobs

Yes, it is true that if we trace back our family roots, we were all once immigrants. We've seen the shows and heard the stories of our ancestors coming over by boat and seeing the Statue of Liberty and feeling free for the first time. We come from all over the world, believe in different religions, and celebrate different cultures. For centuries, millions have made their way to the New World to make new lives. We truly are a melting pot. For a brief moment it sounds wonderful. What an honor to live in a society where we get to experience so many differences. We can visit Little Italy or China Town without needing a passport.

A Cabinet of Tax Evaders

I almost felt sorry for President Obama in his first weeks and months in office. He couldn't pick a cabinet member who didn't have unpaid taxes to save his life. Below is a short list of those with troubles:

Tom Daschle - Head of Health & Human Service Department
Timothy Geithner - Treasury Secretary
Charlie Rangel - Chairman of Ways & Means Committee
Ron Kirk - White House Chief Trade Representative
Nancy Killefer - Chief White House Performance Officer

Taxes

Payroll tax, gasoline tax, property tax, school tax, wheel tax, capital gains tax, income tax, excise tax, sales tax, estate tax, gift tax, generation skipping tax, state unemployment tax, worker compensation tax, cigarette tax, Medicare tax, building permit tax, luxury tax, road usage tax, toll road tax, marriage license, dog license, and fishing licence taxes just to name a few. The average American works until June just to pay his/her taxes for the year. Seriously, enough already!

American Pride

I am proud to be an American everyday, but there have been two times in particular that the feeling has been overwhelming. The days following 9/11 when our flag flew from nearly every car you passed on the street and people donated blood even though it wasn't needed - they just wanted to help their fellow Americans however they could. The other time was the inauguration of President Obama. Even though I don't agree with all of his policies, he got this country excited again. Millions stood on the grounds in Washington and millions more watched on tv. It was a day this country made history - in more ways than one. It was a day this country came together. I want to see more days like this in our future. More days when people fly the American flag instead of their favorite team flag. More days when people stand in line to help as opposed to standing in line for help.

Religion

I understand that there are hundreds of religions practiced in our country today. And, I am not asking anyone to change their beliefs just as I do not want anyone to ask me to change mine. I am not asking that we teach religion in our schools. There is and should be a seperation between Church and State. What I do ask is that we continue to say the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools and keep in the line "under God." It is not a pledge of religion, it is a pledge of loyalty to this country! I am asking for the debate to take "In God We Trust" off of our currency to stop. Remember many of the first settlers of this country were fleeing religious persecution from England. If we start making changes like these, we will be heading straight into that which our ancestors fought to get away from.

About me and the reasons for this blog

My interest in politics began somewhere around the Bush/Gore presidential election of 2000. To be honest, I don't completely remember who I voted for (but I think it was Gore). I just remember being fascinated the next day, and the next, and the next that there was no winner declared. In my eyes, Gore had already won by a sizeable margin. But, there is that pesky electoral college that supersedes how the "people" actually vote.

By the next election, I was only slightly more involved. Slightly meaning I watched the ads and the televised debates. I certainly remember who I voted for that year. I chose Bush over Kerry and then later regretted my vote - as so many Americans did. Four years later, I voted for Obama over McCain and now fear that I may regret that one as well.

But of course, one of the great things about this country is that we can vote and we have the freedom of speech that allows us to critisize the job of who we voted for. I do not agree with everything our government does, but this blog is not about critisizing. This blog is about giving my thoughts, my ideas, and above all the facts. I have no fantasies of being on the campaign trail myself. I will go ahead and admit that I do not know nearly enough about foreign policy (I do not have the privilege of some of our great politicians that can see Russia from their house!) My only fantasy is to one day find a candidate that truly is for the people and maybe even one that can bring some reason to Washington.

I have no formal or even classroom background in government. I am just one of the many Americans that wants something to be done about the injustices that so many of us complain about everyday. I started this blog because I want more people to be involved in politics. I want more people to vote and I want more people to understnad what they are voting for; understand that what happens in Washington effects us all. This blog is not about me, not about Republican or Democrat opinions, this blog is about this country and the changes that need to be made.

Enough Already!

Immigration - Crime

Immigration - Jobs

A Cabinet of Tax Evaders

Taxes

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Followers

American Pride

Unity

Greed

Religion

About me and the reasons for this blog

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