kinda funny

So this whole messy bailout thing...you have to admit there is a little something funny about it. Because fiscal conservatives & Republicans are saying no, while Democrats are siding with Bush's plan. Haha!!! I'm sorry...what is this argument about "more of the same"? Democrats siding with Bush. Oh man. Sidesplitter. I seriously laughed in my car for 5 minutes this AM.

I also heard this morning that thanks to Lindsey Graham (who actually read the bill, I applaud him), we now know that some of the repayment turned from the bailout will go to funding corrupt, fraudulent housing programs like ACORN. Whooppee!!! First, my tax dollars going to a mess that I had nothing to do with and is already crashing my retirement fund. And now, any repayment from that will go to fraudulent housing programs that benefit me and this nation in NO way.

I'm thinking about moving soon.

glenn beck on conservatives

What a great, timely article by Glenn Beck on what conservatives believe.

In case you don't want to read the whole thing, here's the best part:

A conservative believes that our inalienable rights do not include housing, healthcare or Hummers.

A conservative believes that our inalienable rights DO include the pursuit of happiness. That means it is guaranteed to no one.

A conservative believes that those who pursue happiness and find it have a right to not be penalized for that success.

A conservative believes that there are no protections against the hardship and heartache of failure. We believe that the right to fail is just as important as the chance to succeed and that those who do fail learn essential lessons that will help them the next time around.

A conservative believes in personal responsibility and accepts the consequences for his or her words and actions.

A conservative believes that real compassion can't be found in any government program.

A conservative believes that each of us has a duty to take care of our neighbors. It was private individuals, companies and congregations that sent water, blankets and supplies to New Orleans far before the government ever set foot there.

A conservative believes that family is the cornerstone of our society and that people have a right to manage their family any way they see fit, so long as it's not criminal. We are far more attuned to our family's needs than some faceless, soulless government program.

A conservative believes that people have a right to worship the God of their understanding. We also believe that people do not have the right to jam their version of God (or no God) down anybody else's throat.

A conservative believes that people go to the movies to be entertained and to church to be preached to, not the other way around.

A conservative believes that debt creates unhealthy relationships. Everyone, from the government on down, should live within their means and strive for financial independence.

A conservative believes that a child's education is the responsibility of the parents, not the government.

A conservative believes that every human being has a right to life, from conception to death.

A conservative believes in the smallest government you can get without anarchy. We know our history: The larger a government gets, the harder it will fall.

oh rush, you disappoint me

Rush Limbaugh. I love you but I hate you. Do you really have to make comments like this? It doesn't make the conservative fight any easier you know.

extreme emotion

Does anyone else find this disturbing in the least? I am sure that Obama is a good person, this is nothing against him. But...he has this cult of personality, it creeps me out. Why is Hollywood giving him so much money? And does that really appeal to the American people? I don't really think of Hollywood as having a good grasp on reality. They have lots of money, do whatever they please, etc... And this is coming from someone who works in TV, albeit on a small level. I'll just have to give this some more thought...I don't understand these videos. I get that they're supposed to be funny. But is this the time to make fun of our political system? This is a serious election. This is a serious decision for each and every American (over 18).

Or does anyone find this a little disturbing?Maybe some of you grew up with the things that I did. The Focus on the Family radio show for kids - Adventures in Odyssey - was one of the coolest things ever, better & more exciting than TV shows to me. Stretched my imagination. Then Brio...the girls magazine that I read cover to cover every month. The books my parents read to save their marriage, our family, etc. So you can imagine the respect I have for Dr. Dobson.

But I find it troublesome that he's endorsing Mike Huckabee. Why? Huckabee is conservative in pretty much only one way - his morals. I think that is the folly of the Southern conservatives. They voted for Huckabee based solely on his conservative moral values. We tend to get things confused...Conservative does NOT mean in morals only. To be a true Conservative, you have to face it on several fronts: moral, yes, but also economic, national security, etc. Really, I look more for a candidate who is conservative in the economy first. I don't want the government taking my money and then spending it foolishly. Why couldn't Dr. Dobson have endorsed Mitt Romney? Was it the Mormon thing holding him back?

I guess the thing that irks me the most is that it doesn't really matter if the President is a Christian or not. Christian voters - evangelicals if you will - shouldn't be so enthralled with religion in elections. Instead, just vote for the candidate whose platform most aligns with the values of Christianity. It doesn't matter if the candidate is Christian or not, although it probably helps.

So really I've just been thinking of the extremes of emotion in this election. One one hand you have the people who are swept away by the Obama inspiration & hope. Never mind a hard look at what "hope" he offers or what we have to do to get there. On the other hand you have the moral conservatives who are swept away by the promises of a Baptist minister. When are we going to learn to vote with our heads and not our hearts?

To close...a cool quote from Benjamin Franklin. A man who may or may not have been a Christian. I encountered this in a Bible study I've been going to, and found it very very appropriate for this season:

In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. ... And have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived for a long time (81 years), and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it possible that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall proceed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.

1787 Speech to the Convention for Forming a Constitution for the United States

some good thoughts

I like this guy's take on today's events...

Conservatives on the Verge of Nervous Breakdown

Makes you rethink everything...time to collect thoughts and think reasonably about the future! It's not the end of the world...yet.

initial reaction

Initial thoughts on Super Tues results...as I sat and watched the returns come in at Mitt Romney's campaign get together at 10 Pin Alley last night. Cool place! Wish it could have been a more joyous occasion...

- Mitt Romney - man just can't catch a break! Could not believe what happened in West Virginia...
- Conservatives? Maybe they don't exist any more?? From McCain's wins and frontrunner status, it seems that no matter what the pundits say, he's the choice of Republicans. Maybe there aren't really Conservatives in the Republican party any more? Just wondering...
- Mitt Romney still in this thing. Says he'll go all the way to convention and then to the presidency. Bold words! But maybe his situation isn't as bad as the media would have us to believe. He is still 2nd in delegates, Huckabee had some good wins last night but not enough to overtake Romney. Huckabee says this is a 2-man race between him and McCain...not sure he checked his numbers on that one.
- I'm so proud of Columbia County. The little dark red Romney county in the Augusta area that was surrounded by McCain red and Huckabee pink on CNN last night. Yeah, that's my stomping ground!
- Rush Limbaugh would rather have a Dem in office next term than McCain, reasoning that he'd rather have them mess it up than the Republicans. Interesting...also interesting is Dr. James Dobson refusing to vote if McCain is the nominee.

More thoughts to come...I'll add links to this later. Class time!