Here in the Valley of the Sun I talk about heated topics such as religion, politics and parenting, with a little food mixed in, while maintaining a sense of optimism.
So, I like the Olympics. I don't watch every event, but I like watching what I do see.
Also, I have just a tiny bit of patriotism inside of me. (Just a little...) So I love to see the USA CLEAN UP at international competition. It shows our superiority. I like superiority.
Anyways, I was watching the opening ceremonies last week and in comes the USA Olympic team and they are wearing some rockin' Ralph Lauren duds. (Big fan of R.L. You know, he's the American designer if you ask me.) Except for one major problem.
There's a HUGE polo logo on the front of the Jacket, with USA on the back. Like first and foremost, Ralph Lauren, and then as an afterthought, USA.
So, I'm just wondering. Which is more important? The marketing of your clothes line? Or the promotion of the USA?
(This is not the actual jacket worn in the Opening Ceremonies. But a good example.)
So, today is my birthday. And I am in a serious funk.
1. I gave up breastfeeding last week. Jack's happy. I just don't produce enough milk to make it a long time with nursing. (Please don't give me the it's-in-your-mind argument. I know it. He didn't fight me on it, that's for sure.)
2. I weighed myself, and I'm up three pounds. Why, oh why, did I get on the scale on my birthday? I pretty much hate not being pregnant sometimes. I know, Happy Fat Tuesday, Jessica! How's that for irony?
So, yeah for being 31. I feel like Sally Albright.
Sally: I'm difficult. Harry: You're challenging. Sally: I'm too structured, I'm completely closed off. Harry: But in a good way. Sally: No, no, no, I drove him away. AND, I'm gonna be forty. Harry: When? Sally: Someday. Harry: In eight years. Sally: But it's there. It's just sitting there, like some big dead end. And it's not the same for men. Charlie Chaplin had kids when he was 73. Harry: Yeah, but he was too old to pick them up.
3. And then Bam! I find out Katie is giving up sugar. I just don't think I can do the whole Lent thing. And to know that there are people out there who truly do it, well, let's just say I hate being face-to-face with my own shortcomings, especially on my birthday. I mean, I love Jesus and all. Don't get me wrong. But for some reason I've yet to participate in Lent. Maybe it's because I grew up Bible-Belt Christian.
And on that note, why in the world have a birthday right before Lent? I feel totally dejected.
I know, I'm a barrel of fun today. Aren't you glad you checked in? :) Today the word is demoralized.
I am nettled. Definitely. I am incredibly frustrated at what is going on.
First off, unemployment is at 10%. One in 10 people are unemployed. One of which is my father. And FYI, men are the hardest hit with this round of unemployment.
Second, because the deficit (which is another word of the day-means DEBT) is so large, production is so expensive and manufactures have had to cut production, but they're doing it so creatively. Instead of a pound of pasta, you can buy 12 ounces for the same price. Instead of a 12 pack of Diet Coke, you can buy 8-packs for the same price. So, no, our grocery bills have not stayed the same. You now have to buy more to feed your family.
Third, because the most notorious bureaucrat in Washington, Nancy Pelosi, feel so entitled she has racked up over 3 million dollars in personal travel for her family! Non-Congressional trips. Just travel for her kids and grandkids. And she's very wealthy. She is one of the 15th richest members of Congress with a net worth between $33 and $95 million. She could afford to pay the way for her kids to fly commercial. (FYI, I don't have a problem with wealth. But I have a big problem with wasting money, spending money that does not belong to her. It's called theft, people. Taxpayer money is not her slush fund. But she's acting like it is.)
And they have the audacity complain about the economy. You've got to be kidding me. It's your fault, with all this spending, that the government is running in the red.
And to add insult to injury, President Obama has said that he intends to reduce the debt. With all due respect, you do not spend your way out of a debt. All of us know that. When the money is gone, there is no more money. When we spend our money on shoes, there is no more money for groceries. When we buy a car we don't need we don't have the money to pay for our electricity. We make decisions about what's important.
Priorities for the federal goverment should only be military, national security, and roads. That's it. I'm fine paying taxes for those things. But extending unemployemnt benefits indefinitely? No way. That's not going to get anyone employed. It just creates further dependence on the government. And it increases corporate taxes. Which causes employers to cut jobs, hours, or go under. Which leads to more lost jobs. The only way to stop this cycle is to cut all taxes and especially the corporate taxes.
So, yes, I'm incredbily nettled. And nettled is not nearly a strong enough word for it. I'm angry.
We should all be praying that this will not go on. I believe what the Bible says about praying for your government so that all may live in peace. I want that to be my heart. And it is. I'm angry because I know how much suffering these terrible tax-and-spend policies has created and will further. There is no freedom with government rule. Our government was originally designed to be restricted. Instead, it's been empowered by the people. We need to wake up from our apathy and start caring about how much our government spends. We need to pray that the right people are voted into government service.
