December has always intrigued me as an interesting time of the year. Of course, there is all of the Christmas related fanfare, parties, football playoffs, special food, the business push to close out their books on a strong note, etc. At the opposite extreme of the busyness is the chance to reflect upon the past year.
If you are like me, you are so caught up in family, friends, and work that when you get a few minutes you just want to rest. Yet deep down we know that a few minutes of solid thinking about the past year will be very beneficial to us. What did you do well? What could you do better? What lessons did you learn? Did the year turn out like you expected? What do you foresee in the upcoming year?
I can’t answer the first three for you, but together we can take a look back at this past year in several areas and see if they turned out like we expected.
January came with a lot of anticipation – everyone wondered how the new Presidential administration would impact the country. Part of the country was eager to move past the Bush era, and others were anxious about the relative unknown taking over as the Chief Executive of the country. The financial meltdown was in full swing, and layoffs were increasing around the country. Congress had just passed a large spending bill, with the Bush administration working with Congress and the newly elected President.
The new administration rapidly made changes to government – some that were foreseen and some that were not. Everyone expected more government regulation and higher taxes, but not many expected an additional round of “stimulus”, or the government takeover of financial firms and automakers, or the appointment of unelected and unaccountable Czars. I won’t dwell on the “apology tour” the President took around the globe. Then the administration started on health care “reform.” It looked like the administration was unstoppable in accomplishing their agenda.
But a funny thing happened to many members of Congress on the way to their summer recess. They were greeted with angry constituents – constituents angry that their freedoms were being eroded away in massive chunks. Citizens of Liberty who stood up for what they believed in. And a change started to occur in the culture. The majority of Americans seemed to suddenly realize that maybe, just perhaps, the mass media was less concerned about telling the truth than in promoting an agenda. And the agenda being promoted is one that most Americans do NOT support.
The attitude of many elected officials at the town halls was one of arrogance and disbelief. How dare the people disagree with what those in DC have decreed that the people need! A combination of many factors, including the bias of the media, the arrogance of elected officials, and runaway government spending, led to people coming together to protest. They took the name “Tea Parties” to describe their gatherings.
The amazing thing about these Tea Parties is that they were organized by citizens – I like to think they are Citizens of Liberty. The events were not organized by any political leaders or media personalities; they were just ordinary people expressing their frustration.
Time after time the new Presidential administration has been surprising. Several of these surprises have been doing exactly the opposite of what he promised in the campaign. One example of saying anything to be elected without understanding the implications is Barack Obama’s promises on Iraq and Afghanistan. We are still in both countries, helping them develop freedom and liberty while we disrupt Islamic training camps.
As the Senator who voted “Present” more than any other during his brief tenure in the Senate, it should be no surprise then that President Barack Obama has difficulty making hard decisions. This was just one more detail in his background that the biased media overlooked during the campaign – but I digress.
One of his more recent inabilities to decide is particularly frustrating. His hand-picked General over Afghanistan has requested more troops, yet he has delayed in approving his request. Every day he delays our men and women are in greater danger. I think this demonstrates an indifference and disrespect for our military. Even more troubling, it appears his delay is primarily to obtain support for his government takeover of health care.
Tragically, fourteen people lost their lives as they were preparing to deploy from Ft. Hood. Although the investigation is still underway, it is pretty apparent that Hasan was motivated by his religion. In a stunning display of political correctness run amok, all the signs of Hasan’s hostility toward the United States, and our military in particular, were evident for months. Yet people were afraid to speak up due to the political correctness forced on us by liberals who are only concerned that people “feel good.” I wonder what they have to say to the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice? Policies have consequences, and I hope our Country has learned something from this horrible event.
The last thing I will mention is the attempt for the government to take over our health care. While our health care system might need some tweaks, it is not the most pressing issue on people’s minds (jobs are most important). This is all about gaining political power. In one example of buying votes, the Senate version of the health care takeover has three pages outlining how Louisiana will receive $100 million. This was inserted purely to buy Senator Mary Landrieu’s vote. What is it with Louisiana? I thought they would have learned what electing liberals gets you when they dealt with the ineptitude of their officials during hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
As I said in the title – “Whew.” What a year it has been – and this was just a quick rundown. When you have a few minutes, as yourself a few questions. What did we do well? What could we do better? What did we learn? Did the year turn out like we expected?
Next month we will take a look at what the New Year may bring. Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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A last question of the article: I like the question what did we learn? Well, we as a mainstream conglomerate of the citizenry, I think that we have learned that our government is going to do whatever it wants to do with out consideration of the populace who is willing to ask hard questions and if necessary to “rock the boat”. A next question: What can we do? Ans. Keep rocking the boat and asking hard to the point questions not to mention all of the incumbent either the good, the bad, or the indifferent out of office. Send a worth while message.
On the whole, I am not awfully keen on politics in general – but, on occasion all of us have to pay attention. There are some excellent issues raised here, and I am paying attention – thank you.