Road Trip 2018!

Want to live with your grandparents forever? That is the environment we are creating by keeping people in the Senate beyond their expiration date. I'm not dissing the elderly (I am quite fond of many of them and becoming one too) but there comes a time when we the people (that includes everyone of voting age) have to take action. Instead of going to grandmas' year after year after year. Let the folk who have been stuck in the 40's and 50's return to their memories of their "glory days" in the comfort of their own home. They can enjoy old reruns or have some playtime with the littles in the family without us trying to coax them into the present day way of life which is clearly outside their purview. They have done enough. Seriously. What if you cook the dinner? Have it at your house (your rules, your TV, your menu or you call for a pot luck). We know what happens at grandmas'. Grandma does a lot. Maybe it's time for a change. Some of the old geezers are way to comfortable in their power. Let's take the keys and drive them out of office.

Watch Sen Orrin Hatch  OMG This old white man . . . completely out of touch!

He may be stuck in the 40's and doesn't know women are people too. Why do we vote for old geezers just because of the "shining R" by their name? Vote for a relatable, on your side candidate. Don't vote for a letter! This guy is clearly beyond his use by date. Give him a nice rest in the home, at home or anything but in the senate.

Life isn't fair but you can use your voice and your vote to step up and speak out. We need elected officials to do what is right for us as a society by working together. #CheckExpirationDate2018

Again

And when is the best time to even discuss the ability for mass murders to occur without even one regulatory hurdle? It is certainly not the day of I hear. Ought not politicize such an event with any words beyond "thoughts and prayers". And certainly we cannot have a discussion for the first week after. Families need time to bury their loved ones. And not the week after that. So many loose ends to finalize and plans to make for the children and pets left behind. By the third week the next crisis takes over the news cycle and as all good Americans do, we move on with our lives and forget to remind our representatives that we are requiring action. Now is not the time for thoughts and prayers. Now is the time for action to minimize the need for so many thoughts and prayers.

Can one person make a difference? Today one did.

Can you make a difference? Yes you can. Use your voice, use your vote. Stand up. Speak out. Be bold. Be kind. Let your relatives, friends and neighbors enjoy another moment of life. I don't want to play politics. I want to stand with others or alone and make a difference.

Fare Whether

Feathers of a bird, stay with the herd Tarred and feathered, we stick together Lions and tigers and swears, oh my Our flight paths criss and cross in the sky The bulls, the lambs the great I am The poets, the jocks, the river swam United divided, prodded and poked 2017, choked or stoked

H. U. G. S. for Pete's Sake

Love is kind. Politics CAN be too. It's about WE the people so the less us, them, they, the more H. U.G. S. (Humans Utilizing Gifts Successfully) we can share. Why are we so polarized? Why do we continue to post such inflammatory political "stuff" on social media? What purpose does it serve. Who is our target? Our cousin? Sister? Brother? Mother? Father? Aunt? Uncle? Neighbor? Pastor? The tree of "me" expands to all branches it seems. It's like we are all being held back for the sake of. . . . . well, for Pete's sake I have no idea! 

Once again I would like to ask that you do your civic duty and vote for a candidate not a party. We are all in this boat together. If everyone leans to the left or the right, we all get see sick.  What do you see? I see people who are not only listening to what they want to hear but they believe all of it too without question. 

In the land of the free, we can continue to post unkind words, share untruths, continue to stay unmoved or open minded.  We can also choose to actively listen with a compassionate ear and a thirst to really appreciate that America is and has always been a melting pot. We really don't have one way to live because we are all uniquely American. And that is just one of the best things I can think of about America. Maybe there is more to know and appreciate in others. 

Ask questions! More hugs, less smug. 

If you are a parent and your kid wants to go "out", chances are there will be questions. Many, many questions. Why would you just say, sure you are a member of the family and we all do the same things so sure, go do whatever that is you are going to do. Yes candidates are older but they may not all have the same maturity, ideas, philosophy, values, or experiences. It may be the best person isn't flushed out because we fail to ask questions so we don't see the best candidate. 

Do you choose to dive again and again into murky water? I would much prefer a flowing stream to a stagnant pool. Healthier for all of our friends and relatives. Kids too. Big kids, little kids, kids not yet born. You know, we the people.

How great would it be for all (including our kids, the kids kids) to have a working government? To be the United States of America. To lead and govern with purpose, peace and prosperity? 

#Love Thy Neighbor #LoveThyNAYbor

 #HugsNOTSmug

All I am saying. . . Is give P's a chance.

#Purpose #Peace #Prosperity

~ Our Daily Bread ~

To vote or not to vote should never be a question! If you are eligible and don't vote you are agreeing to be lead blindly into your immediate future which has the potential to adversely affect you and yours for years to come. Your vote is your voice. I have an issue with those that pick the letter by a candidate such as "R" or "D" and believe that they are somehow voting. If you vote a straight ticket, why? That is supporting a party not a candidate. You should vote for the candidate that best serves you and your family. We need political diversity not clones who promote a single vision and platform. Voting should be more of a buffet rather than the "blue" plate or "red" eye special. Just selecting bread you have a choice of wheat, white, rye, potato, yeast, buckwheat, cornbread, banana, biscuits, sourdough, soda, and so on. Maybe your family is gluten free. Would you purchase bread based on its brand or the contents?

I personally think Donald is a washed up TV star, carnival barker and snake oil salesman who has obviously mastered his craft especially with the uneducated. I have no idea how his adjectives plan to "make America great again". I thought putting people in office that would have the fortitude to hold 45 in check on all spectrum's was our best choice in the 2016 election cycle. Since his election he has put his wealth and greed ahead of all else including the FBI building (Story here). He has been campaigning since his 2nd day in office and golfing at his properties  bringing in thousands of dollars to pad his pockets even more. Republicans have to date not stepped up to call him out. As of June 16, 2019 he has been on the grounds of his golf courses or played golf elsewhere 198 times at a cost of who knows what. What we do know is the activity is also lining his pockets. He is very good at lining his pockets. Golf? Not so much. He cheats which is no real surprise.

Click here for Trump's Current Golf Count 

or why he is Nicknamed Pele

The new Trump International Hotel has seen many CEO's, lobbyists, and other interest groups wearing their company brand on their shirts

just hanging out in the lobby for hours if not all day. People with foreign interest reserving rooms for multiple nights. This is against the Emoluments Clause and is yet another investigation waiting to happen. Unfortunately the breaking of the Emoluments Clause has not had any consequence. The same is true for the Hatch Act.

Hatch Act

Income from the hotel was $40 million in 2016 if he didn't cheat on his financial disclosure report. 

Even the demise of Khashoggi, the journalist that was murdered in Istanbul, Turkey; Trump seems to be covering for the Saudis. And beyond all of that I still think he has no idea what he should be doing even though he has been in the office too long! It was predictable that he wouldn't change (be Presidential) Because he constantly transforms (based on the immediate feedback at his rallies) it is not possible to know where he stands or if he will set sail on yet another uncharted course upon first gust. This disturbs me greatly. A vote for him was a mystery meal at best. No idea what you are ordering, or if it meets your nutritional needs. Will it cause any gastrointestinal consequences such as acid reflux, bloating, or rashes.

In this next election cycle let's vote for candidates that are best prepared to break bread and serve. Donald Trump? He has proven to have an empty core with no compass, emotion or belief of his own. He just follows whatever way the wind blows at the moment and pretends to be a leader by schmoozing the people he is with; no matter their belief. A chameleon for mostly whites and that one black supporter he pointed out at a rally by saying "Look at my African-American over here".

Hillary? Trump is still talking about her. She is not running and no, when she did she was not a perfect choice either but, she got more votes than Trump but lost the 2016 election. She has been studied, investigated, deposed, blamed and that cycle repeats and continues to this day. And even as she is microscopically scrutinized, she has continued to serve the public. She has a history of working for and with people. As additional candidates step up, take the time to listen. If you are hungry to get things done, maybe the buffet would be the best choice. 
Please study carefully and make your selection. Your table is being made ready. #Vote2020 

He has had two years to show us the health plan and we got nothing. He promised a wall that Mexico would pay for, also not going to happen. His administration has treated immigrant children so inhumanely it is horrific to me what the long term effects might be. The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind ~ and war with Iran is a possibility.

Breaking News! 14 dead, 17 injured in CA mass shooting

When breaking news is more of the same thing we heard a day or so ago is it really breaking news or a trend?

Yet another mass shooting and all we can offer are thoughts and prayers. I cannot express how empty that statement has become. It is right up there with "Thank you for your service". What is it exactly that prevents those that can make changes we so desperately need to step up and speak out? We should demand it. There is no better time than today to make a difference.

We are so consumed with the thought of refugees infiltrating our country that we forget we are our own worst enemy. We stand by and watch silently as we continue to support the NRA because, the only thing that can stop a gun is another gun.

Are you serious? Are we just going to continue to support the NRA and the manufacturers of guns, rifles and mega clip ammunition rather than people? Why is it more acceptable to so many for people to have guns than for all people to have a safer life? How does limiting magazines and implementing common sense and background checks impinge on your second amendment rights?

Is it possible to stop every single incident? Absolutely not. Will we be open minded and learn from each mass shooting or will we continue to offer thoughts and prayers to broken families?


Maybe alone I can't change the world, but I can step up and speak out. Please join me won't you? Use your voice, use your vote. Pro life is not just about the unborn. What family member are you willing to sacrifice because of inaction?

More than one thousand mass shootings since Sandy Hook.

Enough.

Only the strong survive

The rain reminds me that strength is often perceived as weakness. Looking out my back window during a fairly heavy rain I was noticing the crepe myrtle in full bloom and the purple fountain grass were bending quite a bit. As the rain fell I realized that the ability of the fountain grass and crepe myrtle to bend could be perceived as weakness.

Just looking on the surface, it could be said that neither was strong enough in the rain when actually, the strength was in bending and cooperating and in interacting appropriately with the current circumstance. They both would have damaged themselves with the added weight and in order to survive and prosper, neither remained upright or steadfast. The soil needed the rain and the plant to keep it stable and prevent it from washing away. The plants need soil, sun and rain for nourishment. The clouds need the sun and had to have a release in the form of rain. If nature instinctively knows to cooperate for the good of all, why can't we?

I keep hearing the president is weak but I believe if you say that with any seriousness we should also agree that America is weak by choice. Weak because we are so polarized and politicians are like deer caught in the headlights. Politicians afraid they will step off of the "perceived safety" of doing nothing. Afraid to step up or out for what a majority of people want. Taking only the time to blame the other side for the condition we as a nation are in. Not only is this a disservice to we the people it is also counter to making any hard decisions that they were elected to do in representation of the majority. Do you really expect other nations to follow in the American system of government when we are at a stalemate and have defiantly stood our ground or denied any progress time and time again?

(From http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/united-states-government)

Many terms describe the United States government. First of all, it is a democracy. This means the people rule. It is also a representative government. The people elect leaders who will represent their viewpoint when making government decisions. It is also a republic. This means that the chief of state (the president) is elected by the people. This is unlike a monarchy, where the throne is inherited through a family dynasty. The United States government is also a constitutional government. It operates according to a set of laws and principles that are outlined in a constitution. And finally, it is an example of the federal system of government. This means that the national government shares responsibilities with the state and municipal governments.

 

We are our worst enemy. When will we learn that yes, yes we do need protective legislation? Tex-ting and driving have broken many hearts and torn families apart. Our Texas governor believes that we should be allowed to do both if we choose but he does not approve of woman having equal pay for equal work, the right to choose a legal abortion or a method of birth control. How is it you want birth control methods to be an employer choice and not a woman's choice?  When will we have a real discussion about "corporations are people" or why workers should not have sick pay, or how about a living wage? What have we done about Sandy Hook? How do we feel about an eight year old with an Uzi?

Someone should represent me not resent me. Next election I will identify and vote for that person not the letter by their name because it is obvious we have only grid lock in office. The stalemate has to end.