1st Blog February 2008

October 25, 2012

The wind is blowing and temperatures are dropping.  I am sitting in the cottage watching the leaves blow past the door.  It's one of those afternoons that makes staying in and reading a good book pretty appealing!

My neighbor and I went to the courthouse on the square to early vote this morning.  We walked down into the basement ... I was taken aback by the stone walls dating back to the 1800's.  Beverly voted for President Obama and I voted for Governor Romney.  Afterwards, I went over to the annex and got my address changed on my driver's license.  It seemed like everyone in line was talking about the upcoming election.  I encouraged everyone to vote.

On February 29, 2008 the climate was quite different in the political arena.  I wrote my first blog that day and thought I would share it with you.

"It has been an interesting week in Dallas.  Police officer Lazado, a member of Hillary Clinton's motorcade, was killed in the line of duty last Friday.  His funeral was held today at Prestonwood Baptist Church with burial at Restland.  The funeral procession proceeded east on George Bush Freeway then south on US 75 going past the building in which I work.  We lined the windows on the 14th floor looking down at an amazing sight ... a low rider, motorcycles, the hearse and countless cars carrying family, friends, and dignitaries (supposedly including Hillary Clinton who attended the funeral).  A powerful farewell to a dedicated officer, husband, father, and friend.  I would like to think that Hillary Clinton paid homage to Officer Lazado because it was the right thing to do; however, he was Hispanic and she is really counting on the Latino vote here.  I am very leery of Senator Clinton and her motives.

Barack Obama is drawing thousands of people at his rallies and has so much charisma.  Everywhere I have gone lately, there has been the buzz of politics in the air.  Even died in the wool Republicans are being won over by his demeanor and focus.  People are lining up for hours outside the facilities where he is speaking.  He is reaching the hearts of the common man offering hope of a new future.  In a time when paychecks are stretched to the max and doom and gloom hovers over us, we that hope, vision and energy.  His uncanny ability to unite independents, Democrats, and on the fence Republicans has been a breath of fresh air.

That's me second row, 2nd from left!

In the workplace, there is the tendency to shy away from discussing politics and religion.  I am fortunate to work in a place where we openly discuss those topics.  Some get pretty hot and red in the face with their views.  Others of us listen intently for context and truth not being for one specific party or religion and keeping an open mind.  I grew up in a small town where the "preferred" religions were either Catholic or Lutheran.  My grandmother had her knickers in a knot when she heard that the nuns across the street from my home loved to hold me as a baby.  I never did understand that ... to me, those ladies in the funny dresses were very nice!  Anyway what did a baby needing love care whether someone was Catholic or Lutheran?

Texans have always prided themselves on being Texans.  When I came to Texas in 1970, I was quite taken back by the warmth and friendliness of those native born.  As the state has grown to include those of other states and countries, some of that innocence and friendliness has given way to a more stoic atmosphere in the Lone Star State.  Funny though, that pride of being Texan has risen once more during the presidential campaign and people have taken their "job" quite seriously in listening to Clinton, McClain, and Obama and knowing their vote is pretty darn important.

Women were granted the right to vote in 1920.  I think, as women, we need to take that right seriously and use our brains in making good decisions regarding the upcoming presidential election.  To vote for a candidate simply because they are white, black, female, or various and sundry other things, is, in my opinion, stupidity at the highest level.  We need to do our homework looking deep into the heart and abilities of the person fit to lead our country.  I gritted my teeth when I listened to a Hispanic woman on the news last night say that she was voting for Hillary Clinton because the blacks have "always" been unfair to the Hispanics.  Another man (again on the news) said that he was voting for Obama because he was a "black brother" and he wanted to see "black" in the White House.  How sad is that?!

Several weeks ago, the pastor at Cottonwood Creek gave a sermon on leaving a lasting legacy.  I made the decision at that time to start writing and speaking more to my family about my values, choices (bad as well as good), and what I stand for as a person.  I am looking forward to taking some time in late Spring to go back to my "roots" in Glenwood, Minnesota and do some research and writing.  It was the values, hopes and dreams of my Norwegian grandmother who shaped me the most in my early years.  It will be a much needed time of balancing reflection, research, writing, and visiting friends and family.

As this day closes, I must reiterate that this has been a memorable day filled wit history making moments, thoughts of hope, and the wish to stand for something of importance."

Fast forward 4 1/2 years ...  Barack Obama was elected President of the United States.  How has that worked for the American people?  Well, the national debt has climbed so high, I wonder how we will ever come out from underneath the weight.  I know many who are scrambling to find jobs and others who are having a hard time keeping their homes and putting food on the table.  The rich have gotten richer, the poor have had handouts, and the middle class has been squashed.  Our economy is struggling ... the American people are disillusioned with Washington and our president.

As for truth and light ... There is more darkness and hidden truths than ever before.  Thank God for the Internet where I have spent many an hour fact checking.  I wonder how our people could have been so misled.  Well, I do know ... we were hungry for a change.  We were scared and we wanted to believe the then Mr. Obama.  We were sheep led to the slaughter...  Now, I know others will disagree with me but I would encourage those people to start digging deep into the underground of politics ... it's possible, you know.

I voted for Governor Romney and for Paul Ryan to lead the country.  Am I leery about being duped again?  You bet I am!!  This go around, I researched deeply and thoroughly.  I kept an open mind trying as hard as I could to defend the present President of the United States.  In the end, I hung my head realizing that the hope promised four years ago has erroded.  With all the truth being revealed, I am taking a deep breath and praying that the Lord will protect his people.

It's so interesting to go back in time and remember the truth as we all saw it in 2008.  The American people were pointing fingers at President Bush, blaming him for all it's woes.  Time will tell, won't it?!

Where were you in 2008 as the political arena heated up?  Are you happy with the change and campaign promises yet to be fulfilled?

Popular or unpopular, it's Miss Dottie signing off and encouraging you to vote for the man you believe will move us forward...