Citizens of Liberty, Nov '09

Thankful??

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and in many respects I am not feeling very thankful. Why not? Hmmm… I’m not sure this article could contain all the reasons why, but let me give you a little insight. Jobs are vanishing. Pay is decreasing. For my friends in Law Enforcement and Private Security – additional jobs are drying up. For my military friends, we have a Commander-in-Chief that doesn’t seem concerned about supporting them. Investments are down. Taxes are rising and are poised to rise higher. Fundamental segments of our economy that ran for years under capitalism are being taken over by the government and moving toward socialism. Islamic fundamentalists are engaging in shootouts with Federal law enforcement on our own soil. Health care is on the verge of getting worse and costing more. The ‘Global Warming’ hoax continues to be pushed despite overwhelming and mounting evidence against it. Inflation will probably return based on the stimulus packages. Did I mention that the air conditioner quit in my house AND my car a few weeks ago, my dog died this year, and I’m getting close to needing reading glasses?

Now I realize that some of these issues impact virtually all of us to some degree. I realize that other issues don’t impact you – but you can relate to. Some of them are just me whining and complaining, having my own little pity party.

Still, it’s hard to keep a positive outlook when so much around you seems to be doom and gloom. Especially when so little of it is under our direct control, and when those in a position to do something appear more concerned about their own personal gain than in doing the right thing for the people of this great nation.

What about you? What’s your current outlook on your circumstances at this particular moment? Are you pretty upbeat? Or are you pessimistic – and borderline depressed – by the malaise you see in your neighborhood, your state, our country, and around the world?

To be sure, most of these problems are real and not just in our minds.

- Our taxes are increasing to pay for the stimulus package. The stimulus idea was bad under the Bush administration, and is getting worse under the Obama one. And the Democrats in Congress are trying to make it worse with Cap & Trade and Health Care reform. Using numbers from the White House, each job created so far has ONLY cost an average of $262,333. No further comment…

- The economy is in a tough situation, reflected by large numbers of layoffs and lowered corporate expenditures. A major part of the meltdown is the sub-prime mortgage mess, started by government regulation back during the Carter administration and made worse by more regulation during the Clinton era. To be fair, the Republicans didn’t act to undo the regulations and only made half-hearted inquiries into Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.

- More troops are requested and the Commander-in-Chief can only delay making a decision – which looks like political posturing. Our military, and our populace, wonder if we are in these battles to win or merely to score political points.

- The President, the Democrats in Congress, and a few Republicans, are determined to ‘reform’ health care. A quick look on Dictionary.com shows that reform means ‘the improvement or amendment of what is wrong.’ Yet they don’t want to merely ‘reform’ the greatest health care system in the world, they want to throw it out and start all over. Granted, there are some issues that need adjusted – but none of the current plans address them. Finally, this ‘reform’ will lead to the government controlling approximately another 20% of our economy. They will control – ultimately – all decisions about health care: what doctor we see, what hospital we use, and what treatment we receive. The government has successfully run Medicare and Medicaid into the ground, yet somehow our political leaders think they can do better with all of the health care system in their control.

Fortunately, I am not the type that tends to stay in a pessimistic mindset. I start looking for the bright spots, for glimmers of hope, for indicators that things may not be as bad as they seem. Believe it or not, there are several bright spots that can be found. I know it doesn’t put cash in your account or food on your tables, but perhaps these observations will encourage you to press on and not give up.

- Parts of the country appear to be leveling out in terms of their economies. The recovery has to start somewhere, so this is a bit of good news.

- The investment markets have rebounded substantially. I’m not sure they will stay there, but it is a step in the right direction.

- Public pressure is mounting on our political leaders in a variety of areas: troop support, lowering taxes, stopping additional bailouts, stalling the ‘Cap and Tax’ legislation, and significantly curtailing health care legislation.

- Many of those who voted for Obama because they wanted ‘change’ are beginning to see what a radical he really is – and are backing away from supporting him. We saw this during the campaign in those he associated with – but the mainstream media refused to question him on this.

- The President’s lack of leadership and inability to make the hard decision is now very evident. This was also evident during the campaign – I believe he was the Senator who voted ‘Present’ more often than any other. Again the mainstream media refused to question him on this.

- Realizing how out of touch they are with their constituents, several prominent Democratic Senators are in danger of losing their seats – including Senators Harry Reid and Chris Dodd.

- Realizing how tightly tied the mainstream media is to the Obama administration, millions of new viewers are now tuned into the Fox News Channel. You still have to use your own brain, but at least Fox will usually ask the hard questions.

- The tougher economic times have forced people to examine their priorities – or at least it has in my family. We have cut out some extracurricular activities we used to do. While they were fun activities, we are now spending more evenings at home as a family and are not as hurried and harried as we were. We were sad initially but now realize it is a good thing.

- Despite our current challenges, we still live in the greatest country in the world. In our brief 230+ year history, we have perpetuated more good in the world than any other society in history.

- Finally, I have a family that loves me and cares for me. Regardless of economic conditions, political situations, or medical challenges, that is something to be thankful for.

Perhaps you are not feeling too thankful this year, either. Let me encourage you to spend a few minutes thinking about what is good in your life. I think in a short period of time you will be encouraged to press on, do your best, and live each day as completely as you can. And swing by the New American Truth blog to share your thoughts…

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