Voting and a couple other things

1. The right to vote. Election day has come and gone. While the candidate I voted for did not win, it truly has been an historic election year. I do think it is neat that an African American can win a presidential race- I just wish I agreed more with his policies. I do have hope though that he, as an american president, will have our best interest at heart, and I do pray that our government so wisely set up the way it was with its different checks and balances will move out nation in a postive direction. I do not believe in magical "cure alls" or quick fixes, especially when it comes to such giant issues as war, health care, and the economy. I will not blame the adminstration if things are not transformed and perfect immediatly. I will however continue to do my part. To vote and have my voice heard when possible. To act as I feel as an honest moral person should.

Jake and I were talking last night and he was saying how important it is to stay positive as a country, and to support our president. I see his point, and like I said- I will do my best to stay positive and supportive- but I have to say I am somewhat fearful. I'm not fearful of Obama. I am fearful of a what I would call "consumer society" which more and more seems to want to "buy" security and freedom. They say they want good education, and so they tell the government to fix it. They say we need to pay our teachers more, but dont get involved enough to say which teacher really deserve that and trust the government to know better than them how to distribute it. They say we need affordable health care for everyone, and so tell the government to fix it and then go on living unhealthy, overmedicated lives. They do not think about the fact that the money for such programs has to come from somewhere, and so say that at the same time government must cut and lower taxes. They think that by voting for a certain candidate they are "buying" all these promises. They say that these are the "important issues" but when it comes time for them to pay for it they complain. They get upset when dishonesty in politics or Wall Street causes problems- but are we not all responsible for who we put in charge? The kind of people we raise up and then turn a blind eye to what they are doing....

Okay, okay. I'm using the word "they" quite a bit. And that is where the problem all begins. We cannot buy politicians to fix our nation and problems. We elect officials to represent us, not to do it all themeselves. If we are not informed, if we do not pay heed then we are the ones that we must blame. I think its really easy to say that there should be more money in education, that health should cost us less (but still maintain our current lifestyles), and that we should stop spending money to protect this country that provides us with all this stuff, and oh- by the way stop asking me to contribute to the cause (taxes)- and you'd better use any money I do give you wisely even thoug I won't pay that much attention- and if you don't I'll get really upset. Instead let us vote for officials who will protect out land and our people, and really consider what else they can truly do better than we can as individuals or even communities. If we think education is important, why don't we get more involved and pay for what we think is important? If we think that the elderly and poor or unhealthy need affordable care- why don't we reach out to our family and neighbors in such situations and lend them a hand? If we think there should be more honesty on Wall Street why don't we start being more honest with ourselves on what we really can afford? And are we really ready to say we will sit in our own homes and houses and expect protection while not trying to fight for freedoms in lands where ours, or others freedoms are being threatened? Can we really expect to continue to live a life of peace and abundance without having to fight for it once in a while?

These thoughts are extreme I know. I really AM thankful to hear that we had such an historical turn out for voting this year. Perhaps that is a sign that people are willing to stop and listen, to educate themselves and cast their vote. I just PRAY that it is not because people went to the polls thinking that if I vote for the right candidate than I can buy all that I want and not do anything else. If we really want "change" and "hope" than we've got to start with ourselves and stop expecting "the government" to fix things. THE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTS US- WE ARE THE PEOPLE- WE MUST ACTIVELY TAKE PART.

2. Freedom of speech? Thanks for letting me get on my soapbox.

3. The USA. I really am gratefull for the country we live in, I think the freedoms and morals this country were founded on are truly inspired. And I do believe that if we remember our individual responsibilities that we can do great things.