Times Are Changing

This is something that I wrote a couple months back when I was at work... just thought that I'd share it w/ you!

In my everyday life, having grown up in the generation that I have, I’ve seen things that my parents and grandparents hoped that I would have never had to see. Things they hoped that I would never have to live through because of the sacrifices their generation and generations before made for the sake of their country and their families freedom.

In speaking with one of the guests that frequent my place of business, I realized when people say, “you kids have it so much easier today than we ever did growing up” that they’re wrong and there are so many things that we can say to prove that. We are currently fighting a war that we should have never been involved in the first place. We are always looking over our shoulder for terrorists that are just laying in wait to strike us down when we are at our weakest. We are constantly watching the stock markets in fear of another “Black Friday”. We are always wondering when we wake up in the morning whether we are going to have a job to go to tomorrow or fearing that we will be sent home early and we’ll have to figure out a way to tell our family that we were just laid off. We are struggling, with the rising cost of gas and other things that are so essential to everyday life to make it day-to-day and with that more and more people are living paycheck-to-paycheck than ever have before.

There is an obvious issue with national security in this country since 9/11; however, the government is trying to take things too far. It seems that any phone calls that may seem “suspicious” to the government may now be monitored and the reason for this is to protect the interest of national security in this country. I hardly think that monitoring phone calls of normal, everyday citizens such as you and I pose any a threat to the future of this country. What would help is if the FBI and the CIA would start sharing information that they receive instead of being so territorial and possibly putting the country at risk. Sometimes I wonder if the members of the Bureau and the Agency forget the oath they took to protect their country and the citizens that inhabit her.

In the past few years, but more prevalent in the news this year, we have people speaking out on key issues and calling people out on issues that need to be brought to the attention of the American public. Instead of us being guaranteed this right under the First Amendment we are finding ourselves punished by the government, but they’re doing it in a way that seems subtle at first. Suddenly, normal Americans, some of whom may have just coincidentally released a New-York Times Bestseller or are a journalist for a major news organization are now finding themselves on the “No Fly” list as suspected terrorists simply because they do not agree with the way the country is being run and are speaking out either on their own free will or because it’s their job to do so. Are we all of the sudden turning in to Communist China where speech, television and even how many children a family can have is being regulated by the government?

The end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 are going to be all about change, regardless of how you look at it. For the first time in history, we have an African-American male and a man who, if elected will be the oldest man ever to take the oath of office as President of the United States in contention for the most prized seat in public politics. Both men, Barack Obama and John McCain have differing platforms that they are running on and both have found a way to back up what they’re looking to get done. Obama and McCain also have strong forces behind their campaigns from Bill and Hilary Clinton and Al Gore on the Democratic side of the aisle to George W. and George H.W. Bush on the Republican side. Regardless of who the President-Elect turns out to be, we need someone who would leave the partisan politics of today behind and start reaching out to the other party and work together to get things accomplished.

Having, for the past 8 years, been lead by a President that seemingly only cared for the country after the despicable acts of September 11, 2001 we, as Americans, have been constantly left to believe that we are still the strongest nation in the world. We have been left to believe that nothing more would happen to the United States of America, a country that once was revered for the power and strength of its military. However, with the world news that is constantly breaking regarding the newest current threat level just issued by the Department of Homeland Security or the current actions being taken against our fighting men and women overseas it is constant proof that this country is living in a world of fear that never should have been. Let’s face it, ladies and gentleman, we’re not who we think we are anymore. We are not what the faces of Washington want us to believe. We are now a nation struggling to live for tomorrow.

All Eyes on America

Next Tuesday, all eyes will once again be on America as we get ready to elect the next President of the United States. Regardless of who wins, there is no doubt that history will have been made that night. Leading up to November 4 we have already seen history made with the record turn-out for early voting in the just under 40 states that allow it.

At a time in our country's history where we can't afford any more instability that is exactly what we're facing. I, however, have faith that the two parties will pull together and at least try and get something accomplished over the next 4 years. Both parties have already called for change, now we just have to see if we can meet in the middle somewhere to get things done.

The winner of this election will almost certainly impact the way that we are viewed as a country to the rest of the world. We, as a country, need to learn how to play nice in the sandbox; it's going to be something that we have to learn all over again. I think that we have two men who would be great leaders, don't get me wrong, but they would each be great leaders in different times. The time for a leader who is willing to break boundaries and try and make nice with other nations who we haven't been the most loyal ally to is now. I'm sure that it's well known to everyone who I'm going to be voting for, but now isn't the time for me to plug my candidate.

Now is the time to get out and vote. Now is the time to make your voice heard. Now is the time to make history. Regardless of your political stance, make sure that you get out and vote.

We need to make America what it once was, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Sarah Palin's Run for the White House and Other Political Rants

After the VP Debate this past week, many analysts have said that Sarah Palin feels as though John McCain can't win this year (I think that's more evident now that he's pulled out of Michigan). There have been many speculations that she is "testing the water" for her own run for the White House in 2012 (as if we haven't had enough of her already). Granted, Hillary wasn't my first choice for president, but why would Americans elect another woman, except for Nancy Pelosi maybe, to President of the United States before Hillary Clinton??? 

I fully expect to see Hillary's name thrown back in contention for the "highest office in the land" in 2012 if John McCain wins (God willing that won't happen...) or in 2016 when, if he wins, Barack Obama gets out of office. I'm making a prediction here and now... within the next 4-8 years we are going to see many new, young faces in politics taking a page out of Obama's book and trying to make it big while they're young. Just across the river in Omaha, we are seeing new, younger faces that are trying to take out the people that have been in office for as long as I can remember; I'm sure this is a familiar scene throughout the country. 

The people of this country are finally sick and tired of the "status quo" that has taken over Washington in years past and are standing up for change in America. Like I said in my previous post, I really don't care who you vote for (well I do, but that's not the point I'm trying to make) so long as you get out and vote. The only way that things are going to get done is if "we the people of the United States" say "NO MORE" to what we have come to know and welcome change with open arms. 

Granted, with everything comes with consequences and a trial and error period, but can we really do any worse that what we've done this far? I really wonder what the founding fathers of this country would say now if they could see the shape this country is in... Interesting thought, isn't it???

November 4, 2008

November 4, 2008 is going to be a history making day in the United States and around the world. We as citizens of the United States have two decisions to make; vote or not to vote and Barack Obama or John McCain for President. It is none of my business who you decide to vote for, but I do hope that you vote. 

Attached is a link to a PSA headed by Leonardo DiCaprio and many other stars who are getting the message out there that this is the biggest election of our lifetime. Voting isn't required by law but it's something that every eligible American should do. If you aren't registered to vote, please get out and register. I am also attaching the link to the "Declare Yourself" website that gives information on early voting and voter registration. 

It is imperative that in this election every voice is heard. It is imperative that we stand up for change. It is imperative that we leave a better future for our children. It is imperative that we vote.

I ask you to send this to at least 5 people hoping that they will do the same to get the message out there that, to stand up for change we can't be silent. 

Peace, Prosperity, Liberty... Vote '08

PSA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAU1vEDXKIQ

Declare Yourself: 

http://www.declareyourself.com/